Golden State Warriors fans were briefly ignited with hope this week when rumors swirled around the potential return of two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant to the team. But according to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, those dreams have been dashed: Durant has no desire to reunite with the franchise where he previously won two championships.
Charania reported on ESPN’s "NBA Today" program, stating, "He does not want to go back to the Warriors where he won two championships, won two Finals MVPs." He emphasized Golden State's serious pursuit of Durant over the past week, but the star's preference lies with his current team, the Phoenix Suns, whom he intends to continue building around alongside rising star Devin Booker.
Durant's reluctance to return to the Warriors may come as a surprise to many, especially since he had such significant success with the team from 2016 to 2019. Nevertheless, NBA insider Jake Fischer highlighted more personal reasons behind Durant's decision. "His final season as a Warrior was of course marked by a devastating Achilles injury... and he no longer wanted to play alongside Draymond Green," Fischer reported, elucidated by the complicated relationship the two players have shared since they parted ways.
Despite winning championships together, Durant and Green's relationship was strained during their final year as teammates. While they have reportedly worked on mending their differences since then, it appears the bond still hasn't healed sufficiently enough for Durant to entertain rejoining the team.
The NBA trade deadline is looming, and as Golden State's management grapples with their shifting priorities, the organization has officially decided to move on from their Durant pursuit. The Warriors were willing to part with significant assets to acquire Durant, including trading away players and draft picks, but now they realize it would be fruitless to proceed without Durant's consent.
A team source confirmed to The Athletic, "The Warriors were willing to part with substantial packages, but they dealt with the unhappy Durant angle before and won’t go down the same path again." This marked yet another unfortunate turn for the Warriors, who have aimed to secure bigger names to support their star, Steph Curry.
Earlier attempts to swing deals for notable players like Paul George and Lauri Markkanen have also fallen through, showcasing the Warriors' struggles this season to land another high-profile co-star. This week’s developments have opened the door for them to pivot their focus toward other options.
Confirming this shift, the Warriors have announced their acquisition of Jimmy Butler through a massive five-team trade involving the Miami Heat. Butler is leaving Miami, albeit not to his desired destination of Phoenix, where he had hoped to land for quite some time.
Sources informed the Athletic Butler agreed to decline his player option worth $52 million for next season, instead opting for a two-year, $112 million extension with the Warriors. This move solidifies his future with Golden State, marking the organization’s pivot away from Durant's saga.
So what does the future hold for Kevin Durant and the Warriors? With the Suns showing no intentions of trading him, the likelihood of Durant rejoining the franchise is dwindling. The recent focus on Butler's trade does signal the Warriors are now working on solidifying their roster around existing stars rather than continuing with the idea of reacquiring former ones.
What can't be ignored is how Durant's current standing with the Suns continues to cause ripples throughout the league. Teams are reacting aggressively, curious if Durant might change his mind post-deadline or whether he firmly intends to stay with the Suns.
Durant was significant to the Warriors’ success, and his talents remain invaluable on the court. Yet, clarity about his future is now more pronounced, as reports have highlighted conflicting narratives about how individuals across the league view Oklahoma City’s former star.
The next few days leading up to Thursday's trade deadline will be telling for all teams involved. While the Warriors reflect on their unrealized aspirations with Durant, they could equally be on the brink of new opportunities with Butler who arrives with fresh expectations and his own ambitions.
That's not to mention, as teams like the Warriors recalibrate their strategies amid the chaos of trade season, the game itself remains continuously unpredictable. Only time will tell how these developments will impact the teams involved and the players moving forward.