Thunder forward Kevin Durant is pleased with the team's rebuilding plans.

Oklahoma City won just 23 games last season, but they have been very competitive this year and have both young talent and future cap space.

"I'm glad they did it that way," said Durant of the organization's rebuilding. "I like the route they took with helping me grow as a player and also Jeff. I guess it was a blessing in disguise.

"It was tough losing like that, but it turned me into the player I am. It put a lot of onus on me growing up fast and helping me become a better leader. Because if those guys would have been there, none of the responsibility would have been on me. I would have just been another rookie learning."

Oklahoma City is 10-8 and Durant is averaging 27.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.