3 insane goals Kevin Durant could still accomplish before retiring

Kevin Durant might be one of the more polarizing figures in recent NBA history, but he's also somehow one of the most underrated as well. We take it for granted now, but legitimate seven footers with his skill set are incredibly rare. Durant is the definition of "unicorn" in the league.

If he were to retire tomorrow, Durant would be a first ballot Hall of Famer. A pair of championships with the Golden State Warriors and an MVP is reason enough, but the 35-year-old has meant so much more to the league than just the hardware since being taken second overall in 2007.

Which is why reaching for these three goals before calling it a day isn't nearly as unrealistic as you might think.

Durant is always going to have his detractors because of how he forced his way out of Golden State to the Brooklyn Nets, and from there to the Phoenix Suns. It is also why trade rumors involving him will never go away either. He's done the unthinkable before, what's to stop him doing it again? No matter where he finishes his career - and it is likely to be Phoenix - it could still get better for Durant.

3. Win the scoring title for a fifth time

By far the most likely scenario to unfold here - which gives you some idea of the direction we're going - sees Durant winning the scoring title for the fifth time in his career. The reasons this won't happen are varied and vast, but are not insurmountable.

The NBA moved last season to stop individual scoring nights getting out of hand, and Durant is also part of a star trio that means scoring is not just his responsibility. His 27.1 points averaged in 2023-24 didn't even lead his own team, as Devin Booker managed the same output while also playing as point guard. A responsibility he won't have next season.

But on two of the four occasions Durant has been crowned scoring champion in the past he's put up 28 points or less, so it's not like he's far away from reaching those numbers again. The league might have as many scoring stars as ever, but they're still not on Durant's level when it comes to putting the ball in the hoop.

If the Suns are to go on a title run, perhaps it will call for Durant to put up one more superhuman campaign on the offensive end. To add to this, last season Durant shot 41.3 percent from 3-point range. Only twice before suffering that achilles injury in the 2019 NBA Finals - when he was more likely to play an entire season - did he manage that feat. There might just be something here.

2. Win a fifth gold medal in 2028

Durant cemented his legacy as the greatest Olympian in Team USA men's history this summer in Paris, as he won a record-setting fourth gold medal for his country. By the time the next games come around in 2028, Durant will be months away from turning 40-years-old. There's no way he can go for gold number five, can he?

Durant needs only look at two people in LeBron James and Diana Taurasi as sources of inspiration here. James is nearly 40 himself, and he just won the MVP award at the Olympics in Paris. James was amazing in being the unofficial point guard, leaving the tougher and more selfless assignments to the younger and willing legs of guys like Booker.

If James can do it, why not Durant? Few if any love the game like he does - and even if it meant coming off the bench or having a reduced role - if his body allows it you have to think he'd try and do this. Which is what Taurasi did herself this summer, winning a sixth gold medal at aged 42 for the women's team in a record that surely will never be broken.

Taurasi started games for Team USA - but this was more ceremonial than anything else - as she was always the first player to head to the bench after only a few minutes of action. Not only that, but she didn't start or see any action in the gold medal game versus France. She still played her part, and Durant might just be able to do the same if he's up for it.

1. Win a second MVP award

It would certainly be unheard of - and the league is as deep as ever - but the narrative could work in Durant's favor here. Voter fatigue for stars like Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo is a real thing, while other contenders such as Joel Embiid (injury concerns) and Jayson Tatum (couldn't even win Finals MVP on his own team) have their own issues to deal with.

Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is a very real and more likely future winner of the award, and yet it hasn't happened for him yet. You would think Durant and Booker would cancel each other out with voters - and in many ways they would - if the Suns were able to win a championship.

Booker also definitely has the public vote going his way after a wonderfully selfess showing in Paris this summer. Still only 27-years-old, he is a superstar that looks like he might have one more level to get to before we see him at his true peak in the league. But Durant was the Suns' MVP last season, and he looked as good as ever for stretches of what was a 49 win season.

Durant's story isn't a comeback tale or even the hero to villain and back again that James once walked, but what he is doing after the achilles injury of 2019 is remarkable. To be the best player on a contender who can close out games with his unstoppable scoring is reason enough to put him in the conversation. This would be some way to write the final chapter of his career.