LeBron James, Kevin Durant and an unprecedented next chapter in their 20-year rivalry

James (10) and Durant (four) have a combined 14 Finals appearances between them, but for either to add to that number this season, there's a strong chance they might not just have to beat each other in the postseason but also find a way to unseat the defending champs.

The Thunder are stocked with youth and depth, and built, in many ways, to undercut the era that James and Durant ushered in with their high-profile free agent moves and blockbuster trades that aimed to create championship cores over a few days in July.

When Durant and James played that first time in 2007, Gilgeous-Alexander was just 9 years old. Williams was 6. Holmgren was 5.

"We're at the point where we've got guys that were kids when we were first in the league and we inspired them," Durant said last year. "And now we're playing against them."

THE OTHER THROUGHLINE is that, for the first time, both James and Durant face legitimate uncertainty about their futures after the 2025-26 season, in part because the changing nature of team building has forced their teams to maneuver around and past them.

James and the Lakers did not negotiate a new contract this summer, and after James picked up his player option and assured he would be a free agent in 2026, it marked the first time in his career he has no contract or option for the next season.

The Lakers have, naturally, pivoted from structuring their future around the 40-year-old James as the centerpiece to the 26-year-old Doncic, who signed a highly celebrated three-year extension earlier this month.

When Durant gave the Suns a list of teams to which he'd want to be traded and included the Rockets, it implied that he would be willing to extend his contract there as part of a trade.

But there was no contract worked out as part of the deal in June, and, like James, he's also ticketed to be an unrestricted free agent next summer.

The Rockets and Durant have had discussions about a new contract and there is belief they will come to terms, sources said, but they've yet to come to an agreement.

Durant, like James, is no longer viewed as a centerpiece, as Houston builds around a young core of players it acquired through the draft.

The Rockets view Durant as a final component, a veteran who graduates them into true contender status, while they manage taking care of core players such as Jabari Smith Jr. and Fred VanVleet, both of whom signed large contracts this summer, and Alperen Sengun, a 2025 All-Star who signed a big deal the summer of 2024. But there is also Amen Thompson and Tari Eason to consider, two young players who are in position to be paid new deals over the next year.

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In the end, Durant might need to accept less than a maximum contract, which he has been on since 2011, if he wants to stay in Houston.

Like James sunsetting as the face of his franchise, no one is trying to purposely insult these former MVPs. Both teams are simply facing the modern realities or roster building for contending teams in the apron era.

Still, before anyone cues the retrospectives, James made second team All-NBA last season and Durant averaged 26.6 points and shot 50% or better for the 13th consecutive season.

James and Durant, if they are able to stay healthy, will again have a major say on the way this season unfolds. They aren't slowing down, even if their age suggests they should.

"I've had so many battles with KD over the years and we don't have many matchups left," James said after a game against the Suns last winter. "You don't want to ever take it for granted."