Kevin Durant Net Worth in 2023

Kevin Durant is one of the biggest superstars in the NBA today. The 34-year-old small forward is a 12-time NBA All-Star and one of the highest paid athletes in the world. As of 2023, Kevin Durant’s net worth is estimated to be around $200 million.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Kevin Wayne Durant was born on September 29, 1988 in Washington D.C. He showed exceptional basketball skills from a young age and played Amateur Athletic Union basketball for several teams in the Maryland area alongside future NBA players Michael Beasley and Greivis Vásquez.

Durant played one season of college basketball for the University of Texas in 2006-2007 where he won numerous awards including Naismith College Player of the Year. He declared for the 2007 NBA draft after his freshman season.

The Seattle SuperSonics, now known as the Oklahoma City Thunder, selected Durant second overall in the 2007 NBA draft. In his rookie season, Durant averaged 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists per game and was named NBA Rookie of the Year.

Success with the Oklahoma City Thunder

Kevin Durant spent the first nine seasons of his NBA career with the Thunder organization. He formed a powerful duo with point guard Russell Westbrook and helped lead the Thunder to the NBA Finals in 2012.

Durant won four NBA scoring titles from 2010 to 2014 and was named NBA MVP for the 2013-14 season. He earned eight All-NBA selections and helped establish the Thunder as an elite Western Conference team.

Though injuries plagued the later part of Durant’s Thunder career, he still managed to average over 27 points per game in each of his final three seasons. His scoring ability, length on defense, and clutch shooting made him one of the most feared players in the league.

Joining the Golden State Warriors

In one of the biggest moves in NBA free agency history, Kevin Durant decided to sign with the Golden State Warriors in July 2016. He turned down contract offers from the Thunder, Celtics, Spurs, and other teams to join the Warriors, who had just won a record 73 games in the previous regular season.

Many saw the move as controversial, since Durant joined a team that had just eliminated his Thunder in the playoffs after being up 3-1 in the series. Fans accused Durant of taking an easy route to win a championship with the already stacked Warriors.

However, the move paid off from a financial perspective. Because the Warriors could only offer Durant a maximum salary, he took nearly $10 million less than what he could’ve earned had he stayed with OKC. But his net worth benefitted from significantly increased endorsements and business ventures in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley markets.

Durant went on to win two NBA titles and two Finals MVPs with the Warriors in 2017 and 2018. Though he missed his entire first season with Golden State due to injury, he returned to All-NBA form and helped them reach five straight NBA Finals.

Brooklyn Nets and Return from Injury

Kevin Durant signed a 4-year, $164 million contract with the Brooklyn Nets in July 2019. He joined forces with Kyrie Irving to form another superstar duo in Brooklyn.

However, Durant missed the entire 2019-2020 season rehabbing from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in the 2019 NBA Finals. When he finally returned in the 2020-2021 season, he showed few ill effects from the injury, averaging 26.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game at age 32.

Durant had an up-and-down 2021-22 season, getting injured multiple times but still averaging 29.9 points per game when healthy. He requested a trade from the Nets in the 2022 offseason but eventually rescinded the request and committed to playing for Brooklyn this season.

If Durant stays healthy, he should continue putting up big numbers and rise up the all-time scoring list. He was named an All-Star starter for the 2023 game and still remains one of the most skilled scorers and versatile talents in the league at age 34.

Career Earnings

Over his 15 seasons in the NBA so far, Kevin Durant has earned nearly $300 million in NBA salary alone. When you combine that with endorsements, investments, and business ventures, his total career earnings exceed $500 million.

Some of Durant’s major current endorsement deals include:

• Nike – Durant signed a 10-year, $300 million deal with Nike in 2014.
• YouTube – Durant partnered with YouTube to create a development channel, Thirty Five Media.
• Postmates – Durant invested in food delivery service Postmates.
• Thirty Five Ventures – Durant’s personal investment company with holdings in companies like Coinbase, Robinhood, and others.

Forbes estimated that Durant earned $65.4 million total for the year ending in May 2022. His largest sources of income were $31 million from his Nets salary and $32 million from endorsements and investments.

Durant’s career on-court earnings from NBA salaries plus endorsements will likely exceed $1 billion by the time he retires. Wise investments and business deals could significantly grow his net worth beyond just basketball over time.

Luxury Purchases

With his massive career earnings, Kevin Durant has been able to afford some amazing luxury purchases over the years:

• In 2013, he listed his Seattle home for $2.5 million shortly after signing with the Warriors. The 6,100 square foot lakefront house features 5 bedrooms.
• In 2016, Durant bought a $12 million oceanfront mansion in Malibu, CA that spans over 12,700 square feet with 7 bedrooms.
• He reportedly owns several other luxurious residential properties in New York, Oklahoma, and California.
• Durant has an impressive car collection including models like a Lamborghini Aventador, Ferrari 458, Mercedes G-Wagon, and custom 1966 Chevy Impala.
• He regularly vacations in exotic destinations like Anguilla, St. Barts, Spain, and Hawaii.
• Durant is known for arriving to games in style, wearing expensive designer clothing and accessories. He has a ten-year, $300 million endorsement deal with Nike.

Though he likes to splurge, Durant also invests his money wisely. He partnered with American Express on ventures to help improve financial literacy and access among youth. With many more years of high earnings potential, expect Durant to continue living lavishly.

Philanthropy and Investments

Unlike many athletes who spend freely, Durant has been strategic in investing his money for long-term financial security. He founded Thirty Five Ventures with his business partner Rich Kleiman to manage his investment portfolio and business initiatives.

Durant has invested millions into tech companies like Postmates, Coinbase, Acorns, and Robinhood through Thirty Five Ventures. The goal is to keep building wealth through equity in promising startups and brands.

In addition, the Kevin Durant Charity Foundation supports educational and athletic programs for at-risk youth. Durant built basketball courts around the country for kids to have safe places to play. He also partnered with American Express on initiatives to teach financial literacy.

The foundation has helped fund important causes like the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and the College Track program that helps prepare underprivileged students for college.

Between his VC fund and direct philanthropic efforts, Durant has shown a commendable commitment to building his wealth in a smart and socially-conscious way. This generation-wealth approach suggests his net worth will continue rising for decades to come.

Final Thoughts on Durant’s Current Net Worth

With over 15 years of massive earnings under his belt and plenty left in the tank, Kevin Durant has already solidified himself as one of the highest-paid NBA players ever. Conservative estimates put his current net worth around $200 million as of 2023.

At just 34 years old, Durant still has time to keep building on that number with a few more big contracts and investment returns. If he can stay healthy and motivated into his late 30s, he could end up crossing $500 million in total net worth down the road.

Very few players can score at will, play elite defense, and contribute to winning like Durant can. His rare mix of production and smart money management puts him on pace to become a billionaire athlete one day.

Even with some controversy and naysayers, KD keeps tuning out the noise and putting in the work both on and off the court.