Durant hopes an NBA franchise returns to Seattle: 'It's a basketball city'

Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant has likely carved out a Hall of Fame career in just 11 seasons as a professional. However, it's easy to forget the superstar began his NBA tenure with the Seattle Supersonics in 2007 - the final year of their existence.

The franchise relocated to Oklahoma City after 41 years in Seattle and rebranded as the Thunder, but the two-time NBA champion believes the team's former home deserves a club of its own.

"For sure," Durant said, according to ESPN's Nick Friedell. "Most definitely. It's a basketball city. It's a sports town. ... They have a good representation of basketball in the NBA from Seattle-born players, Washington state-born players. And I feel like that whole brand deserves an NBA team. Just like the Golden State Warriors deserve a team or the Los Angeles Lakers deserve a team, Seattle is that same way. (A team) has that same type of impact in the community."

The Warriors All-Star was drafted by Seattle, landing Rookie of the Year honors in his lone season in the city. He then led a young Thunder team to the NBA Finals in 2012, won four scoring titles, and was named the 2014 NBA MVP.

"I couldn't have any hurt (about the move)," Durant said. "I had no control over (the situation). Obviously, I look back on it and picture what it would have been like to live there and play there, but I had no control. I spent some great, great years in Oklahoma City, and that path was perfect for me. But I still got a connection with the Northwest area, always going up there with Nike in Portland, making trips to Seattle here and there, just knowing that I'm always going to be a Sonic. I think no matter what jersey I put on, I think those fans know that."

Team owner and Oklahoma City native Clay Bennett purchased the Supersonics in 2006 for approximately $350 million. He chose to relocate to his hometown after he was denied the funds to erect a new arena in Seattle.