Kevin Durant Predicts Luka Doncic Will Pass Him on NBA Scoring List, Reflects on Impact of Legacy

Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant passed Michael Jordan and moved into fifth place on the NBA's all-time scoring list with 32,294 career points during Saturday's win over the Miami Heat, but he thinks it is just a matter of time before Luka Dončić is the one passing him.

"Luka, he's on the way," Durant said during an interview for Boardroom (24:58 mark). "They're hitting those marks that I hit at that time, that LeBron hit, Kobe hit at that age. … I just hope that moment is as special for them as it is for me passing the greats that I looked up to and watched when I was younger. I hope I left that impact on the game."

Durant passed Jordan with a three-pointer in the fourth quarter:

Considering the 37-year-old is still playing at an excellent level as an All-Star this season who is averaging 25.7 points per game, it is probably just a matter of time before he passes Kobe Bryant for fourth place on the all-time list as well.

Bryant finished his career with 33,643 points, while Karl Malone is third with 36,928 and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is second with 38,387. LeBron James sits on top the list and continues to expand his advantage with 43,241 points.

Dončić has a long way to go at 178th on the list with 14,851 career points, but he just turned 27 years old last month and is leading the league in scoring at 33.4 points per game this season. If he ends up leading the league, it will be his second career scoring title.

If the six-time All-Star remains healthy and continues to play at such a level for another decade-plus, he will quickly start to climb the all-time rankings much like Durant has done throughout his career. 

Dončić's ability to catch fire from deep, attack the rim off the bounce and get to the free-throw line gives him a variety of ways to score and take over games, and he is someone who constantly has the ball in his hands as a playmaker.

It would be anything but surprising if he ends up challenging Durant and others, especially if he stays healthy and remains durable for much of his career.

And Durant hopes his own legacy as an all-time great will make it meaningful when he does.