Is there a chance that Kevin Durant might rejoin the Golden State Warriors this offseason? Durant experienced the pinnacle of his career with the Warriors in the latter half of the 2010s, winning two NBA titles. He later moved to the Brooklyn Nets and then the Phoenix Suns in pursuit of another championship, a goal he has yet to achieve. This fuels speculation about a potential reunion with Stephen Curry and the Warriors.
Recently, Grant Hughes from Bleacher Report proposed a significant trade scenario that would bring Durant back to the Warriors. Under this scenario, the Phoenix Suns would receive Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and a 2025 first-round pick in exchange for Durant. Additionally, the Suns might push for another first-round pick in 2027, the only other one the Warriors could include if the trade happens on draft night. The Warriors, on the other hand, might try to include a player like Brandin Podziemski instead of Kuminga, whom they consider untouchable.
There are several negotiation points to consider. Golden State would take on about $3 million more in salary than allowed, assuming Kevon Looney’s non-guaranteed $8 million salary for 2024-25 isn’t included. Despite these challenges, the Warriors are among the few teams with a strong focus on an immediate win-now timeline, more so than the Suns. With Stephen Curry having two more years on his contract, the organization is clearly committed to surrounding him with a competitive team. While Durant will turn 36 before the next season and has health risks, he could be a more valuable short-term asset than Kuminga, Wiggins, or Moody.
The Suns, meanwhile, are coming off a season that began with high expectations but ended poorly. As they enter a new era under coach Mike Budenholzer, trading Durant could be a significant move. It would relieve their hefty payroll and provide them with younger assets to build for the future.
During his three seasons with the Warriors, Durant averaged 25.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists over 208 games. His potential return could reignite the team’s championship aspirations and provide an intriguing narrative for the upcoming NBA season.
