Kevin Durant wants to own an NBA team one day.
Kevin Durant wants to own an NBA team one day.
Photo: Stacy Revere, Getty Images
Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) after losing the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Golden State Warriors and the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif. The Warriors lead 60-58 at halftime. less
Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) after losing the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Golden State Warriors and the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, at the ... more
Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle
Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on January 23, 2017 in Miami, Florida.
Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on January 23, 2017 in Miami, Florida.
Photo: Mike Ehrmann, Getty Images
Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) blocks LA Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) first quarter of an NBA basketball game between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017 in Oakland, Calif. less
Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) blocks LA Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) first quarter of an NBA basketball game between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena ... more
Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle
Kevin Durant (35) dunks in the second half as the Golden State Warriors played the Oklahoma City Thunder at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, January 18, 2017.
Kevin Durant (35) dunks in the second half as the Golden State Warriors played the Oklahoma City Thunder at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, January 18, 2017.
Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle
A fan welcomes Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors back before a NBA game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on February 11, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This was the first game Durant had played in Oklahoma City since leaving the Thunder.
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A fan welcomes Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors back before a NBA game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on February 11, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This was ... more
Photo: J Pat Carter, Getty Images
In this Feb. 11, 2017, file photo, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, left, comments to Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) as they walk offcourt for a timeout in the third quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City.
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In this Feb. 11, 2017, file photo, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, left, comments to Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) as they walk offcourt for a timeout in the third quarter of an ... more
Photo: Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press
Golden State Warriors' fans send message to Kevin Durant during 3rd quarter of NBA game against Sacramento Kings at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, February 15, 2017.
Golden State Warriors' fans send message to Kevin Durant during 3rd quarter of NBA game against Sacramento Kings at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, February 15, 2017.
Photo: Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle
Kevin Durant finds the sweet spot against the Thunder on Jan. 18.
Kevin Durant finds the sweet spot against the Thunder on Jan. 18.
Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez / Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle
Warriors fans react after Kevin Durant (35) dunked in the second half as the Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, February 23, 2017.
Warriors fans react after Kevin Durant (35) dunked in the second half as the Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, February 23, 2017.
Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle
Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) and Kevin Durant (35) celebrate a score against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, in Oakland, Calif.
Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) and Kevin Durant (35) celebrate a score against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, in Oakland, Calif.
Photo: Ben Margot, Associated Press
Philadelphia 76ers' Robert Covington scrambles with Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant during the first quarter on Monday, Feb. 24, 2017 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
Philadelphia 76ers' Robert Covington scrambles with Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant during the first quarter on Monday, Feb. 24, 2017 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
Photo: Steven M. Falk, TNS
Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant (35) speaks during a news conference at the team's practice facility in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, June 1, 2016.
Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant (35) speaks during a news conference at the team's practice facility in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, June 1, 2016.
Photo: NATE BILLINGS, Associated Press
Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant (35) smiles next to Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 3, 2016, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) less
Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant (35) smiles next to Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 3, 2016, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio ... more
Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP
Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives against Harrison Barnes #40 of the Golden State Warriors in the third quarter in game four of the Western Conference Finals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs.
Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives against Harrison Barnes #40 of the Golden State Warriors in the third quarter in game four of the Western Conference Finals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs.
Photo: Ronald Martinez, Getty Images
The U.S. men's Olympic basketball team player Kevin Durant greets kids who participated in a basketball clinic as he arrives for a news conference Monday, June 27, 2016, in New York.
The U.S. men's Olympic basketball team player Kevin Durant greets kids who participated in a basketball clinic as he arrives for a news conference Monday, June 27, 2016, in New York.
Photo: Mary Altaffer, Associated Press
Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant watches during the closing minutes of the second half in Game 5 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, Calif.
Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant watches during the closing minutes of the second half in Game 5 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, Calif.
Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant poses with the MVP trophy following a news conference announcing him as the winner of the 2013-14 Kia NBA Basketball Most Value Player Award in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) less
Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant poses with the MVP trophy following a news conference announcing him as the winner of the 2013-14 Kia NBA Basketball Most Value Player Award in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May ... more
Photo: Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press
In this March 4, 2015, file photo, injured Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant, center, watches from the bench with guard D.J. Augustin, right, and assistant coach Mark Bryant, left, during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Oklahoma City. less
In this March 4, 2015, file photo, injured Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant, center, watches from the bench with guard D.J. Augustin, right, and assistant coach Mark Bryant, left, during the first ... more
Photo: Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) drives around San Antonio Spurs guard Danny Green during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 12, 2016, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) less
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) drives around San Antonio Spurs guard Danny Green during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 12, 2016, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren ... more
Photo: Darren Abate, AP
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant points to a teammate after scoring during the first half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks Saturday, April 23, 2016, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero) less
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant points to a teammate after scoring during the first half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks Saturday, April 23, ... more
Photo: LM Otero, Associated Press
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant, right, hugs Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) after the Oklahoma City defeated Dallas in Game 5 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Monday, April 25, 2016, in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City won 118-104. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams) less
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant, right, hugs Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) after the Oklahoma City defeated Dallas in Game 5 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Monday, ... more
Photo: Alonzo Adams, Associated Press
West's Kevin Durant shoots as East's Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James look on during first half action of the 62nd All-Star game at the Toyota Center Sunday Feb. 17, 2013 in Houston.
West's Kevin Durant shoots as East's Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James look on during first half action of the 62nd All-Star game at the Toyota Center Sunday Feb. 17, 2013 in Houston.
Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-News
Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant, left, walks past tornado damaged homes with his brother, Tony Durant, right, in a neighborhood in Moore, Okla., Wednesday, May 22, 2013. Durant donated $1 million to the American Red Cross for relief efforts. less
Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant, left, walks past tornado damaged homes with his brother, Tony Durant, right, in a neighborhood in Moore, Okla., Wednesday, May 22, 2013. Durant donated $1 million to the ... more
Photo: Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press
The Sonics' Kevin Durant drives past the Lakers' Kobe Bryant as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Seattle Supersonics 123-121 at Key Arena in Seattle on Monday January 14, 2008.
(Photo Scott Eklund/Seattle Post-Intelligencer) less
The Sonics' Kevin Durant drives past the Lakers' Kobe Bryant as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Seattle Supersonics 123-121 at Key Arena in Seattle on Monday January 14, 2008.
(Photo Scott Eklund/Seattle ... more
Photo: Scott Eklund, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Texas center Kevin Durant, right, drives the ball past Oklahoma forward Taylor Griffin during the first half of a basketball game Saturday, Feb. 24, 2007, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Ty Russell)
Texas center Kevin Durant, right, drives the ball past Oklahoma forward Taylor Griffin during the first half of a basketball game Saturday, Feb. 24, 2007, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Ty Russell)
Photo: Ty Russell, AP
CLEVELAND — A decade into a Hall of Fame career, Kevin Durant is beginning to prepare for the next phase of his life. Durant and his business partner, Rich Kleiman, have met with NBA owners and tech CEOs to gather information in hopes of owning an NBA team after Durant retires from playing, a source confirmed with The Chronicle.
ESPN was the first to report Durant’s interest in NBA ownership.
“Just having dreams and goals,” Durant said after shoot-around Monday at Quicken Loans Arena. “You know when you’ve got dreams and goals, a lot of mediocre people are going to try to knock you off your space. But I got some dreams and goals that I want to achieve that are a little bit outside the basketball realm as a player, but it’s good to set goals and have some aspirations.”
Over the past few years, Durant has started to seriously explore his interests outside of basketball.
He is an amateur photographer who shot Super Bowl 50 for the Players’ Tribune. His Oakland hills mansion features an in-home recording studio, where he makes songs intended only for himself and close friends. In the summer of 2016, he and Kleiman introduced a startup called the Durant Co. that invests in everything from restaurants to hotels to TV to tech companies.
Still, basketball remains his chief passion. He is a mainstay at the Warriors’ practice facility. When he comes home after games, Durant turns on SportsCenter to catch up on the games he missed. It is common for him to monitor HoopsHype.com and ESPN for the latest trade rumblings.
More and more former players are transitioning into front-office roles. However, Michael Jordan (Charlotte Hornets) is the only African-American, and the only former player, who is the majority owner of an NBA team. LeBron James, whose Cavaliers host Durant’s Warriors on Monday night, has also expressed interest in owning an NBA franchise when his playing career ends.
“They programmed players in the ’80s, ’90s and early 2000s just to play and to compete against each other, fight against each other,” Durant said. “Now we know how to compete and play the game, and now we’re starting to figure out the other side. I think that’s scary for a lot of people that don’t want to see that happen. I’m glad guys are starting to take control of their lives.”
Connor Letourneau is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cletourneau@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @Con_Chron