It’s not a drama centered on Kevin Durant, which hasn’t been explored in a long time.

There’s no trade demand looming over his relationship with the front office and management, no emotionally tied teammate to answer for. And no looming free agency consuming all of the oxygen in every room for every game he plays in.

All that stands in front of him is basketball mortality, which he openly admits, and some solace in being one of many talented teams with a chance to win an NBA championship.

“That stuff helps, and it’s good to have stability,” Durant said to Yahoo Sports. “To know what you’re getting yourself into.” Last year [in Brooklyn], I didn’t know what was going to happen until just before training camp. But it was fun to work on projects with the team all summer.”

Durant appears to have desired stability throughout, even as little controversies came and went. Because of the NBA’s never-ending loop of news and rumors, it feels like Durant’s initial trade demand from the disintegrating Brooklyn Nets a decade ago was a decade ago. It took a truce between him and the Nets at first, but he achieved his way in the middle of the season.

The Suns now have three of the most potent scorers in today’s game, thanks to the addition of Bradley Beal. Everything about Damian Lillard and the upcoming James Harden controversy almost pushed the Beal blockbuster to the sidelines.

He is aware of the Suns’ need for a point guard, but dismisses them, preferring to rely on talent and basketball IQ.

If you ask him about stopping Nikola Joki, he’ll say, “Who’s stopping us?” because the Suns at full strength will be impossible to stop with Durant, Beal, and Devin Booker — it’s difficult to find a team with two or three perimeter defenders, let alone one with the height or girth to bother Durant.

He shrugs his shoulders and smiles comfortably as he poses for photos with players’ families after a preseason game. He still has an edge to his game, but it isn’t accompanied by the added tension.

Maybe it’s because it’s early, or maybe he’s truly… happy?

The trades for Durant and Beal were orchestrated by incoming team owner Mat Ishbia – Durant was traded to Phoenix just hours after Ishbia was appointed governor. Only playing eight regular-season games (he slipped and damaged his ankle before his home debut) may have made it clumsy, but Durant had an offseason to get his bearings.

“Yeah, I got to know Mat Ishbia more, to know Josh [Bartelstein, Suns CEO] and James [Jones, Suns general manager] and then once Frank [Vogel, head coach] came on and get to know him, as well,” Durant was quoted as saying.

Vogel spent time with Durant in the summer following his hiring after the Suns parted ways with Monty Williams, and described Durant as the type of leader he’s long been known for.

Durant, on the other hand, utilizes his voice in different ways, admitting to being vocal in the Beal deal.

“I just want to be aware on making decisions, who should be on the team, I give my suggestions and input and hopefully they take it in and value my opinion,” he added. “But if they don’t, I still come to work and do my job.”

It demonstrates his trust in management, which is something that all elite players are expected to have. Given what has happened in his last two trips, Durant may be jaded about such things.

And, in some ways, he’s like most NBA fans in that he wants to know the gossip.

“Not only our team. “I’d like to see how things work behind the scenes because there’s a lot going on that we don’t see from the surface level,” Durant said. “So I’ve always been interested in that aspect of the game.” I believe they are involving the players and soliciting our feedback, which is great.”

It almost sounds like he’s anticipating the next step of his basketball career. It’s difficult to believe, but Durant is only 35 years old. Most NBA greats were nearing retirement or, at the very least, had limited effectiveness. LeBron James’ ability to continue working at a high level has altered the perception of aging, and it appears that his age is the only one that the NBA world is concerned with.

But Durant is in his 17th season, and in those 47 games, he shot a fantastic 56/40/92 slash line while averaging 29 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Durant isn’t far behind Joki at the top of the NBA’s individual mountain.

But he knows he’ll be coming down that mountain eventually.

“You think about your second phase of your life all the time,” Mr. Durant added. “‘Think about what you want to do when you’re done,’ older males used to remark. As you become older in the league and closer to 40, like I am, you start to wonder, “What would my life be like without the NBA?” I’ve spent half my life in the NBA, so I don’t know what it’s like to not prepare for basketball. Of course, I consider it; I chat to retired men to see how they feel.”

He recently penned the preface to George Gervin’s book, “Ice: Why I Was Born to Score,” in which he discussed meeting Gervin as a young player and hearing anecdotes from him.

“Guys had the same thoughts at their age that I’m having,” Durant went on to say. “Not like they want to be done with the game, but it is creeping up on you.”

Durant will be 37 years old when his deal with the Suns expires. Even if health cannot be assumed, Durant’s game should age gracefully. Missing time due to injury has spared him some miles on his body, and he doesn’t appear to be the type to retire while still being successful and All-Star worthy.

“No one knows. Who can say? “But I want to play for as long as I possibly can,” Durant stated.

He’s still eager about competing in another Olympic Games next summer, and he’s optimistic about the upcoming season.

“I like the identity we’re building, I like the days we’ve been stacking,” Durant went on to say. “We have talent. Having talent is half of the battle in sports. It is now up to us to put it all together. I’m excited about the talent that has been brought in. I admire what we’re doing, particularly the attention to detail. We’ve got a good start; we’ll see how it goes.”