Breaking Down the Pod: Is KD Still a Needle-Mover

Kevin Durant at 36: Still a Needle Mover 

As the Miami Heat remain involved in trade discussions with the Phoenix Suns, one name keeps surfacing—Kevin Durant. At 36 years old, Durant continues to generate both interest and debate: Is he still one of the NBA’s top needle movers? Is he the greatest scorer of all time? And would acquiring him meaningfully shift Miami’s title hopes?

To start answering that, look no further than Durant’s shot chart from this past season.

Elite Efficiency at Every Level

Durant shot an incredible 52.7% from the field, 43.0% from three, and 83.9% from the free throw line in 62 games during the 2024–25 season. His effective field goal percentage (eFG%) sat at 59.8%, and his shot chart confirms what the stats suggest: Durant remains a lethal threat from all three levels.

• Mid-range (Top of the Key): 53.1% on 286 attempts
• Paint (Non-restricted): 53.2% on 342 attempts
• Restricted Area: A staggering 79.0% on 124 attempts
• Corner Threes: 47.8% (Left), 52.4% (Right)

At his age, this kind of production isn’t just rare—it’s historically elite. The only player to put up similar scoring numbers past age 35 is LeBron James. And like LeBron, KD’s game has aged gracefully thanks to his shooting touch and skill-based scoring.

Highest scoring seasons for players age 36 or above:

LeBron James 30.3 (2021-22) LeBron James 28.9 (2022-23) Kevin Durant 26.6 (last season)

Podcast Perspective: Needle Mover or Not?

On a recent episode of Five On The Floor, Ethan Skolnick and Greg Sylvander discussed whether KD is still impactful enough to justify a major move. Ethan draws a parallel to the 2004 Shaquille O’Neal trade, where Miami added a superstar in the twilight of his prime, knowing he could elevate an already-competitive team.

While the Suns and Nets didn’t win it all with Durant, Ethan and Greg argue that context matters. Fit, injuries, and organizational stability all played a role. As Greg notes, “KD still shifts your ceiling—even if he’s not the floor-raiser he once was.”

Miami wouldn’t be trading for 2014 MVP Durant, but even this version could unlock new levels for Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. With KD’s gravity, spacing, and ability to close games, the Heat wouldn’t need him to carry every possession—they’d need him to deliver when it matters most.

Ethan and Greg point out, who else will be there for the Heat to go for?

“Who over the next year are they going to have a better shot at than they do at Kevin Durant right now.”

Greg states:

“The league has changed and top heavy rosters/biggest spenders aren’t making it. It may be an expensive experiment, but to completely write that off is to completely ignore everything going on around the league (Pacers, Boston, everything else). What other player and moment are going to present themselves?”

“Greg is the “anti-tank” king (as am I). and Ethan states that “they will never go full tank.”

“Jimmy missed games when he could have played them”

If you’re not going to commit to a tank, then when a move presents itself, you have to go for the move that you believe it sends you to the top. Kevin Durant is still an elite player, and the growth of Herro and Bam would once again elevate. Give Spoelstra Herro, Kd, and Bam, and let Miami work the rest of the roster out and lets see what happens.

Legacy on the Line?

Durant has recently stated he’s not satisfied with his legacy, and that’s a major reason he continues to play. With over 30,000 career points, two championships, and a 50/40/90 season under his belt, KD has nothing left to prove statistically.

But legacy isn’t just numbers. It’s narrative. Miami, with its championship infrastructure and defensive identity, could give Durant what Brooklyn and Phoenix didn’t: a stable, winning environment with defined roles.

If KD’s final chapters are still being written, the Heat might be the co-authors he needs.

Final Stats

Despite being 36, Durant posted a +5.2 net rating differential in 2024–25—ranking in the 83rd percentile among all players. The Suns were significantly better on the offensive side of the ball and many close to the Suns say the defensive lapses were in large part to the Suns scheme and role players.

Kevin Durant /// Stats /// Cleaning the Glass

In clutch situations this past season, Durant posted a 61.7% effective field goal percentage—15.8 percentage points above the league average—highlighting his continued ability to close games efficiently.

NBA Clutch Shooting Report

The Bottom Line

Is Kevin Durant still a needle mover? Absolutely.

Miami might not be “one Durant away” from a championship—but they’re definitely closer with him than without.

Durant isn’t chasing numbers—he’s chasing meaning. If his final act is about reclaiming legacy, there may be no better stage than Miami, a franchise built on clarity, toughness, and results.

Listen to the full breakdown on Five on the Floor, now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.