It has been a busy offseason for Kevin Durant. In fact you couldn't rely call it that, going from a playoff sweep with the Phoenix Suns at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves, right into camp for Team USA. That ended in Olympic gold, and only then could Durant pause for a couple of weeks for some rest.
With big goals to accomplish in The Valley this coming season - and hopefully the teammates now in place to achieve them - Durant is already back in the lab putting in work. We'd expect nothing less of a player who will be 36-years-old by the time the 2024-25 regular season gets underway.
The stars of tomorrow are now seeking Durant out to work together, with a future superstar spending some time with him recently.
They say that a star player's third year in the league is when they typically make "the leap", and go from a youngster with a ton of potential to an actual budding superstar. Previous examples include Derrick Rose and Paul George - although given the injuries that would impact both of their careers - perhaps that is not a list to be associated with.
Although Anthony Edwards - big fan of Durant that he is - is thought of as next in line once LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Durant call it a day, he's got competition in the form of Paolo Banchero. Through only two seasons in the league, he's been Rookie of the Year, an All-Star and helped the Magic back to the postseason last year.
It is clear he is going to be a top five player in the league if he continues on his current trajectory, and he has done the smart thing with training camp less than a month away by seeking out Durant to get some work in together. On an unrelated note, the t-shirt Durant is wearing below is tough.
slim reaper ⛓️ P5 pic.twitter.com/pAEacSSHV3
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) September 6, 2024
It makes sense for Banchero to work with Durant - especially offensively - as like the two-time NBA Champion he is going to carry the offensive load for his team for years to come. Banchero's built has always been more similar to that of LeBron, which makes working out with Durant and even smarter move.
James and Durant famously working out together while they were going head-to-head for championships, with both clearly benefitting. If Banchero can learn from a taller and at this point more complete scorer, then he is going to bring that back to Orlando and they are going to be a problem next season.
Although a lot of talk has rightly been on Edwards and even Luka Doncic being the next face of the league, don't sleep on Banchero. In fact that's another reason the two likely get on - as for all of Durant's accolades and success - he was never the face of the NBA. That went to LeBron and later Curry.
That "leap" is coming for Banchero this coming season, which is crazy considering he averaged 20 points in the league as a rookie. That 32.1 percent from 3-point range he has managed is surely getting worked on by Durant, as well as the footwork to create the space needed to work inside. Durant is helping to create a monster that is going to have the Magic making waves in the East.