Not just Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, two Thunder role players will surpass Kevin Durant’s legacy, claims 7x NBA Champ

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For nine years, Kevin Durant was arguably the most beloved Oklahoma City Thunder star.

However, Kevin Durant ruined his relationship with the passionate fanbase after joining the Golden State Warriors in the summer of 2016.

Fast forward to 2025, and the Oklahoma City Thunder are currently the defending champions of the NBA. While KD won two rings with the Warriors, most OKC fans still hate the Slim Reaper.

Rubbing salt into the wound is the fact that the Thunder will face the KD-led Houston Rockets during the 2025-26 NBA season opener. OKC fans are overjoyed with this announcement.

Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts after making a basket in the third quarter while taking on the Miami Heat in Game Two of the 2012 NBA Finals at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Robert Horry makes ‘greener pastures’ point about Kevin Durant leaving the OKC Thunder

There’s no doubt that Durant had the chance to become arguably the most celebrated player in the history of the Thunder.

However, that honor likely belongs to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander now, as he led the Thunder to their first-ever NBA title last season.

Speaking of which, 7x NBA champion Robert Horry recently shared his two cents on how Durant may be feeling about not being a part of that honor.

“It’s almost like, ‘See, if you’d have stayed here, you could have been the first to put up a banner, but you wanted to go on to greener pastures.’

“It’s always something special when you get the first for a franchise that has never won anything. Because now, you got to think about it, you’re the first,” Horry said on Big Shot Bob podcast.

Horry further bolstered his point by adding the example of the 1995 Rockets.

“In Houston, they ain’t won a championship since we left in ’95. But the guys that were on that team, those eight main guys, are still loved by that city because you brought the first championship to that city.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Alex Caruso, and Isaiah Hartenstein will push aside Kevin Durant’s OKC legacy

As mentioned earlier, there’s no doubt that SGA is on the path to end up as the most beloved superstar in Thunder history.

While there are conversations about whether the Thunder should retire Durant’s jersey or not, Horry made an even bolder claim.

“Even though they probably loved Durant, he’s getting pushed aside by [Alex] Caruso, SGA, and [Isaiah] Hartenstein,” Horry stated.

Of course, the likes of Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein were vital to the Thunder’s 2025 NBA championship run, but Horry may have gone a bit overboard with his statement.

After all, KD did lead the Thunder to an NBA Finals run, albeit getting demolished by the LeBron James-led Miami Heat superteam in 2012.



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