After more than a decade, NBA star Kevin Durant is set to make a return to Seattle, though it’s just for one night.
On October 5, the Golden State Warriors will face off against the Sacramento Kings at Key Arena in a preseason match. This game marks Durant’s homecoming to the city where he began his NBA journey and gives the Kings a chance to showcase their skills beyond Sacramento.
Durant was drafted by the Seattle Supersonics as the second overall pick in 2007 and played a season in Seattle before the team’s relocation to Oklahoma City under new ownership. His departure left Seattle fans pondering what could have been, as Durant went on to become one of the NBA’s top talents. While Durant has visited Seattle for the annual Seattle Pro-Am, this upcoming game in October will be his first return to the city wearing an NBA uniform.
Seattle’s hopes for an NBA team were briefly reignited in 2013 when billionaire Chris Hansen aimed to buy the Kings and move them to the city. However, the league rejected the proposal, and the Kings were eventually sold to Vivek Ranadive, who reaffirmed the team’s commitment to Sacramento, leaving Seattle fans without a new team to support.
The game between the Kings and Durant at Key Arena symbolizes a reunion between the city and the team that once created tension between Sonic’s ownership and the community.
