Could the Warriors reunite with Kevin Durant?
It was almost five years ago that Kevin Durant left the Warriors, and key members of the organization have on numerous occasions since deliberated on the possibility of a return.
“Hell yeah,” Stephen Curry said two years ago.
“My thing was, you can’t never not think about that,” Draymond Green said a couple months later.
Golden State CEO Joe Lacob has on several occasions made it clear that he did not understand why Durant chose to leave via sign-and-trade with the Brooklyn Nets in July 2019.
The idea of KD returning to the Warriors remains appealing in 2024. He’s still playing at All-Star level, and those in the Golden State front office are entering an offseason during which they will explore all options to open next season with an NBA championship-caliber roster.
The possibility of reacquiring Durant might never be higher than now, as the 35-year-old forward is displeased with his role with the Phoenix Suns, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported, citing sources.
KD’s season ended Sunday with the most humiliating NBA playoff outcome, the Minnesota Timberwolves sweeping the Suns into the offseason.
The Golden State Warriors season came to an abrupt end with their loss to the Sacramento Kings in the play-in tournament.
In the aftermath, questions have surfaced regarding potential roster changes ahead. The Warriors’ aging core will undoubtedly believe it is still capable of competing for a championship.
According to NBC Sports Monte Poole, it’s not unthinkable that Kevin Durant would return to the Bay Area following the Phoenix Suns’ shocking exit from the playoffs. The Suns were swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He noted Durant will spend the summer with Steph Curry and Kerr while on Team USA duty at the Paris Olympics.
“Trading for Durant now would require not only all parties signing off – that’s the thorniest part – but also substantial roster shuffling, beginning with the departures of Jonathan Kuminga and Andrew Wiggins,” Poole wrote. “Any moves the Warriors make this summer will be out of extreme urgency to maximize the Curry window. In short, adding a plug-and-play star. Durant and Curry will reunite in July as members of Team USA. Kerr is the head coach. Assuming no movement in the interim, they will have almost six weeks to engage in conversation and reminiscence.”
Bringing Durant back to the Bay Area would undoubtedly reposition the Warriors as championship contenders. Even with Durant turning 36 ahead of next season, he is still one of the best players in the league, as is Curry.
It might seem like a pipe dream right now, but if all parties were interested in making a deal happen, and Golden State was willing to part with Jonathan Kuminga to get the trade over the line, anything is possible.