Kevin Durant remains one of the NBA’s most accomplished players, celebrated for his scoring ability and versatility even at age 36. During the 2024-25 season, Durant averaged 26.6 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, while shooting an impressive 52.7 percent from the field, 43 percent from three-point range, and maintaining an 83.9 percent free throw percentage. His true shooting percentage of 64.2 percent underscores his efficiency as one of the league’s top offensive threats. Durant also etched his name into Houston Rockets history as arguably their greatest closer and one of their finest scoring wings.
Evaluating Durant’s Standing in the NBA by Experts
Despite his exceptional statistics, NBA analyst Jason Timpf placed Durant as the 11th best player for the 2025-26 season on his show Hoops Tonight, presented by The Volume. Timpf highlighted Durant’s unparalleled jump shooting last season, noting that he led 58 players who attempted at least 500 jump shots with 1.21 points earned per attempt, an indicator of his precision and scoring efficiency.
Moreover, Durant excelled as the league’s top isolation scorer. Timpf pointed out that among 22 players who took more than 200 isolation shots, Durant achieved 1.16 points per possession, a margin that put him far ahead of his peers. This combination of efficiency in jump shots and isolation scoring cements Durant’s reputation as one of the best scorers the NBA has ever seen.
Why Durant Fits Seamlessly on Any Team
Timpf emphasizes Durant’s ability to integrate smoothly within any basketball system, crediting his decisiveness and predictability with the ball. Unlike a ballstopper who disrupts offensive flow, Durant maintains the rhythm of his teammates, making it easier for them to anticipate his moves and react accordingly. This quality, paired with his scoring prowess, assures that Durant can thrive in various roles, which bodes well for his future with the Houston Rockets.
Defensive Strengths and Ranking Factors
In addition to his offensive skills, Durant’s defensive contributions are often underrated. Timpf cites Durant’s shot-blocking and status as one of the league’s elite isolation defenders as notable strengths. However, Timpf also acknowledges some limitations, such as Durant’s relative lack of playmaking and a decline in defensive rebounding, which partly explain his placement outside the top 10 players. Still, the analyst admits an argument can be made for Durant to be ranked within the top five based on his overall impact.
Outlook for Kevin Durant’s Career and Impact
Kevin Durant’s ranking at 11th best in the NBA for 2025-26 reflects both his sustained excellence and some areas of decline typical for a player at his stage. His scoring efficiency and ability to adapt remain his biggest assets, alongside underrated defensive skills. As Durant continues to compete in Houston, his blend of experience and talent will likely keep him among the top scorers league-wide and a key figure in Rockets’ aspirations for future success.
“The shotmaking from KD is completely outrageous. KD was the best jumpshooter in the entire NBA last season.”
—Jason Timpf, NBA Analyst
“KD was the best iso player in the NBA last year by a mile. There were 22 players that shot out of iso at least 200 times. KD’s 1.16 points per possession was far and away number one.”
—Jason Timpf, NBA Analyst
“He’s just the best to ever do it. When you need a bucket, there’s never been a better guy to give the ball to….Kevin Durant is the best I’ve ever seen at scoring the basketball in the flow of an offense.”
—Jason Timpf, NBA Analyst
“Meaning doing so without disrupting the rhythm of his teammates. This is what makes him so easy to fit in any basketball situation.”
—Jason Timpf, NBA Analyst
“I expect Durant to thrive with the Rockets, because of his ability to fit in essentially anywhere.”
—Jason Timpf, NBA Analyst
“Durant not being a ballstopper and being predictable and decisive when the ball is in his hands, making it easy for his teammates to know when to cut and how to play alongside him.”
—Jason Timpf, NBA Analyst
“He also mentioned Durant’s underrated defensive strengths, as a shot-blocker and as one of the league’s best isolation defenders.”
—Jason Timpf, NBA Analyst
“He cited Durant’s lack of playmaking ability and dip in defensive rebounding as reasons to have him out of the top 10, while noting that an argument could be made for placing him inside of the top-five.”
—Jason Timpf, NBA Analyst