Kevin Durant plans to take a hands-on approach to Perry Jones’ development as an NBA player.

“Perry and I got close over the last few months after we drafted him,” Durant said. “I was happy that he reached a goal, a dream that he had been wanting for a long time...We have a good relationship and I’m looking forward to taking him under my wing and also learning a lot with him as well. I’m just trying to help him become the best and I’m sure he’s going to try to help me become the best as well. It’s going to be a fun relationship.”

Durant reached out in June, just days after Thunder selected the 6-foot-11 Jones with the 28th pick of the draft.

“He’s a guy that really cares about his team and his teammates,” Jones said earlier this summer. “A lot of people at his level, players like that, most of them care about themselves. It’s very rare to come around a type of player like that who cares about his team.”