In October 2007, as `Crank That (Soulja Boy)` dominated the music charts, `Saw IV` topped the box office, and the first iPhone had just made its debut, a pivotal moment in NBA history unfolded without much fanfare: Kevin Durant and LeBron James met on the court for the very first time. It was a preseason game that even James, known for his prodigious memory, claimed not to recall. That night, James tallied 14 points, while a rookie Durant, coming off the bench for the Seattle SuperSonics, scored 15, sealing a five-point victory for his team.
A Shared Journey Through NBA Eras
Durant and James, often referred to as “OGs” or “graybeards” in the league, have not only witnessed but actively shaped three distinct decades of NBA basketball. Their careers have intertwined through numerous significant milestones. They pushed each other to their limits during off-season training sessions in James’ hometown of Akron, Ohio, ascending a challenging hill near his high school, much to the amazement of peering students.
During the 2011 lockout, they famously engaged in a flag football game, streamed live online, with James’ team securing victory thanks to his late pick-six. More recently, in a memorable 2022 All-Star Game moment, both captains comically sidestepped selecting James Harden, fresh off his request to be traded from Durant`s Brooklyn Nets. Last summer in Paris, they stood as stalwarts for Team USA, jointly clinching their second Olympic gold medal, twelve years after their first triumph in London.
Their rivalry also played out on the grandest stage: three NBA Finals. James led the Miami Heat to victory against Durant’s Oklahoma City Thunder in 2012, while Durant, with the Golden State Warriors, bested James’ Cleveland Cavaliers in both 2017 and 2018. Reflecting on their intertwined careers during the last Olympics, James famously stated,
“We both think we should have more rings, but don`t because of each other.”
A Rivalry Reimagined in the 2025-26 Season
After 18 seasons, 43 head-to-head games, and 14 Finals matchups (plus an NBA Cup quarterfinal), James and Durant continue to inject fresh energy into their legendary rivalry. This upcoming season is poised to be a central storyline in the NBA, as Durant prepares to face James in his sixth different jersey, now with the Houston Rockets, following another high-profile move involving one of these future Hall of Famers.
James, meanwhile, will begin his first full season alongside Luka Doncic, marking the fourth time he`s teamed up with a new superstar sidekick (following Dwyane Wade, Kyrie Irving, and Anthony Davis). Durant, commenting on James’ enduring dedication during the last Olympics, shared,
“LeBron always emphasizing keeping the main thing, the main thing. To still get up and go to the gym at 6 a.m. and want to put up 1,000 shots every day… To keep that joy and love for the game first is something I admire… When you see him as a teammate and you see how he prepares, it brings a smile to my face.”
The Lakers and Rockets are expected to contend for playoff spots throughout the season, with James and Durant remaining the undeniable headliners. They are slated to play on opening night and will clash again on Christmas Day, marking their fifth marquee holiday matchup. James articulated his enduring competitive spirit last season:
“If you don`t have that burning feeling in your stomach or your nerves when you`re competing against the best… then I`ve lost my drive of what the game is about.”
New Dynamics: The Rise of OKC and Career Uncertainty
As James enters his 23rd year and Durant his 19th, their paths converge in two distinct new ways. Historically, both were central figures of “superteams” – James in Cleveland and Miami, Durant in Golden State, Brooklyn, and Phoenix. Now, for the first time, they find themselves overshadowed by a new powerhouse: the Oklahoma City Thunder. After their championship win in June and the subsequent max extensions for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren in July, the Thunder represent a formidable new era.
With James boasting 10 Finals appearances and Durant 4, totaling 14 between them, reclaiming that stage this season will likely require not only beating each other but also overcoming the reigning champions. The Thunder, with their blend of youth and depth, embody a team-building philosophy that contrasts sharply with the era of star-driven free agency and blockbuster trades that James and Durant pioneered. When these two legends first played in 2007, Gilgeous-Alexander was just nine, Williams six, and Holmgren five. Durant observed last year,
“We`re at the point where we`ve got guys that were kids when we were first in the league and we inspired them. And now we`re playing against them.”
The second significant development is the unprecedented uncertainty surrounding both James`s and Durant`s futures beyond the 2025-26 season. This shift is largely due to evolving team-building strategies that are moving beyond their singular star power.
James and the Lakers did not negotiate a new contract this summer. After he exercised his player option, James is set to become a free agent in 2026, a career first where he holds no contract or option for the subsequent season. The Lakers have naturally begun to shift their long-term focus from the 40-year-old James to 26-year-old Luka Doncic, who recently signed a major three-year extension.
Similarly, when Durant listed the Rockets among his preferred trade destinations from the Suns, it was implied he might extend his contract there. However, no extension was finalized as part of the June trade, leaving Durant, like James, on track to be an unrestricted free agent next summer. While discussions between the Rockets and Durant about a new contract are ongoing and there`s optimism for an agreement, no deal has been reached yet. Houston, too, is moving away from a single centerpiece model, building around a young, draft-acquired core.
The Rockets envision Durant as a crucial veteran piece, elevating them to contender status while carefully managing their investments in core players like Jabari Smith Jr. and Fred VanVleet (who signed large deals this summer), and 2025 All-Star Alperen Sengun (who signed a big deal in summer 2024). They also have Amen Thompson and Tari Eason, young talents due for new contracts soon. This complex financial landscape suggests Durant might need to accept less than a maximum contract – a benchmark he has consistently met since 2011 – if he wishes to remain in Houston.
These developments are not intended as slights to these former MVPs; rather, they reflect the current realities of roster construction for contending teams in the modern “apron era” of the NBA. Despite the looming uncertainties, James earned Second Team All-NBA honors last season, and Durant maintained his exceptional performance, averaging 26.6 points and shooting 50% or better for the 13th consecutive season.
If they can maintain their health, James and Durant will undoubtedly continue to heavily influence the unfolding narrative of the season. They show no signs of slowing down, defying what their advanced ages might suggest. As James remarked after a game against the Suns last winter,
“I`ve had so many battles with KD over the years and we don`t have many matchups left. You don`t want to ever take it for granted.”
