On May 15, Beijing time, the Sun officially posted a poster to congratulate Durant on becoming the winner of the "Magic" Johnson Award in the 2024-25 season. The award is presented annually by the Professional Basketball Writers Association (PBWA) to an NBA player who has demonstrated outstanding performance on the court and who "demonstrated a spirit of cooperation and grace in dealing with the media and fans."
Durant won the award for the first time in 2010-11, his fourth season with the Thunder. He now becomes the fourth player to win twice, joining Stephen Curry (2016, 2024), Damian Lillard (2017, 2020) and Sean Battier (2007, 2013).
Howard Baker, President of the Association, said: "We are very pleased to recognize KD once again. Kevin has long been one of the NBA's most thoughtful and accessible stars. He always finds time to be interviewed by journalists, whether it's a formal recorded interview or an informal small talk, and never shy away from any topic. He is passionate about dissecting the details of a single tactical situation and is also willing to discuss the macro issues facing the league, and his love for basketball is always palpable. In addition, members of the association are particularly grateful for his public advocacy for the reopening of the players' locker rooms in the wake of the pandemic, recognising that this contact is essential to build trust and rapport between players and journalists. ”
The 36-year-old Durant is named to the All-Star team for the 15th time in the 2024-25 season, averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game.
Mitchell of the Cavaliers came second in the vote, and other eventual candidates included Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat, Haliburton of the Pacers and Green of the Warriors. The award has been awarded annually since 2001.