Durant looks to the future: “Doncic and Edwards can break my record”
After surpassing Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant looks ahead: in his view, Luka Doncic and Anthony Edwards have what it takes to rewrite NBA scoring history. But talent alone isn’t enough
After climbing another spot in NBA history, Kevin Durant is already looking ahead. And he does so with a clear message: his impact isn’t measured only by numbers, but also by the legacy he leaves to the next generation.
With 32,294 career points – having passed Michael Jordan – Durant now sits fifth on the NBA all-time scoring list, behind LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, and Kobe Bryant.
A milestone that confirms a legendary career, but also opens an interesting discussion about the future.
Durant: “There are players ready to reach that level”
During a conversation with his longtime manager Rich Kleiman, Durant addressed exactly this topic: who could one day surpass his scoring record?
His answer came without hesitation:
Sooner than you think. There are players like Luka who are already reaching those milestones at the same age we were… LeBron, Kobe
Kevin Durant
A direct reference to Luka Doncic, but also to Anthony Edwards, mentioned by Kleiman and immediately endorsed by Durant.
Luka Doncic: numbers of a future legend
Looking at the numbers, the most natural name is Doncic.
- 14,851 career points
- Averages of 29.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.2 assists
- Less than 10 years in the NBA
The most impressive stat? He’s fewer than 150 points away from 15,000 – a milestone reached on a timeline similar to the greatest scorers in history.
Of course, there’s one key variable: longevity. Doncic himself has joked about not wanting to play until 41 like LeBron James. But even with “just” another decade at an elite level, the margin to approach Durant’s numbers is very real.
Anthony Edwards: steady growth and huge upside
A similar argument applies to Anthony Edwards, albeit with a slightly slower but still very solid trajectory.
- 10,807 career points (as of January 2026)
- 24.6 points per game
- Improving shooting percentages, especially from three (37%)
Compared to Doncic, he has played fewer seasons, but the trend is clear: high shot volume, increasing offensive responsibility, and the ability to heat up at any moment.
It’s exactly this kind of explosive scoring that convinced Durant to include him in the conversation.
The real obstacle: not talent, but time
Here’s where a key, often overlooked point comes into play.
Breaking a record like Durant’s isn’t just about talent or scoring averages. It requires:
- Consistency over nearly 20 years
- Avoiding major injuries
- Adapting to different teams and teammates
- Staying elite even with age
Durant himself, with a 27.1 scoring average over more than 1,100 games, represents that exact standard: sustained excellence over time.
A skeptic might argue that today’s scoring environment – faster pace, more three-pointers – favors younger players. That’s true. But at the same time, physical demands, media pressure, and global competition have all increased. Replicating such a long and productive career is far from guaranteed.
A passing of the torch already underway
Durant’s words aren’t just a prediction – they’re also a symbolic passing of the torch:
I hope I’ve had that kind of impact… to be one of those players I looked up to, and then be surpassed
Kevin Durant
In that sense, Doncic and Edwards aren’t just candidates to break a record – they are living proof that the NBA’s offensive level continues to evolve.