Can Kevin Durant surpass Michael Jordan on all-time scoring list? Projecting rest of Suns veteran's career 

Kevin Durant is already considered one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. He currently ranks eighth in the all-time scoring list with 29,309 points ahead. Can the Phoenix Suns superstar surpass Michael Jordan on the list before his career is over?

Jordan retired in 2001 with 32,292 and is ranked fifth on the all-time scoring list. It means Durant still needs 2,984 points to surpass him. The two-time NBA champion will have to get past Wilt Chamberlain and Dirk Nowitzki before going after "His Airness."

"KD" is averaging 25.7 points per game this season, which might be his potential average in the next two seasons. If he plays at least 45 games this season and 60 games next season, he'd still be short by at least 285 points. Furthermore, he has been prone to injuries since tearing his Achilles in the 2019 NBA Finals.

But if Kevin Durant somehow stays away from injuries this season and plays the 82 games next season, he'll likely surpass Michael Jordan in the all-time scoring list. At 36, his average might go down, so it's safer to assume he'll be fifth on the list by the 2026-27 NBA season.

"KD" surpassed Shaquille O'Neal last season to become No. 8 on the list. He still needs at least 2,000 points to catch up with Wilt Chamberlain, which will likely happen next season.

Speaking to reporters after passing Shaq in March 2024, Durant was happy to be mentioned alongside NBA legends.

"Just grateful to be in the category with some of the greatest," Durant said via NBA.com. "We all know what Shaq meant to the game of basketball. To be up there with him is a major, major honor."

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Kevin Durant hates the new NBA All-Star Game format

Kevin Durant hates the new NBA All-Star Game format. (Photo: IMAGN)

Due to the criticism of the past few NBA All-Star Games, the NBA announced a new format for the exhibition event this February. There will still be 24 All-Stars, but it will now be divided into three teams of eight, with an additional team being the winner of the Rising Stars challenge.

The four teams will be coached by Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Candace Parker. They will play in a tournament with each game being decided by the first team to score 40 points. The winners of the two games will meet in the final.

However, Durant is not a fan of the new format and shared his thoughts when asked about it on Wednesday.

"I hate it, I absolutely hate it, terrible," Durant said. "All-Star Game format changing, all the formats, terrible in my opinion. We should just go back to East-West, just play a game. I think we've been trying to bring that flare back somehow with All-Star Weekend. I think we just keep the tradition."

What do you think of the All-Star's new format? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.