Kevin Durant pushed back on the idea of reducing his minutes, insisting the Rockets are better with him on the court and that he wants to play whenever needed.
Houston Rockets superstar forward Kevin Durant does not appear ready to take more of a backseat entering his 19th season in the NBA.
During the Rockets' Media Day press conference, Durant was asked about comments from general manager Rafael Stone and head coach Ime Udoka regarding potentially reducing his minutes at times this season.
Durant bluntly pushed back on the idea, saying the Rockets are better with him on the court and that he wants to play whenever the team needs him.
"Why?" Durant asked. "I'm better on the court. The team is better when I'm on the court."
"That's what I'm supposed to be training for is to play the long haul, 48 minutes a night. If the game needs me to be out there, I wanna be out there," he added.
Durant enters 19th NBA season
Durant, who is set to turn 38 next week, remains among the league's top scorers even as he enters his 19th NBA season.
Last season, he led the Rockets with averages of 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 41.3% from three-point range and 52% from the field.
The 16-time NBA All-Star still has two years remaining on his current contract with the Rockets.
Durant is set to earn $43.9 million this season, while his deal includes a player option worth approximately $46.1 million for the 2027-28 campaign.
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