After Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler presumably blocked a trade that would have sent him to the Golden State Warriors, the Stephen Curry-led squad pivoted to another star. In fact, they made calls about “every All-Star” in their hopes of maximizing their ever-closing championship window. That path has led to them exploring a deal for none other than Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, who won two championships (and NBA Finals MVPs) with the franchise.
Saddled with Bradley Beal‘s contract, the Suns are now listening to offers for Durant in an effort to get out of their rut. However, the soon-to-be 15-time All-Star “has no desire in a reunion with the Warriors,” reports ESPN senior insider Shams Charania. “He does not want to go back to the Warriors…”
Suns’ Kevin Durant Has ‘No Desire’ In Warriors Trade
“The Suns’ position in all this has been to continue to build around Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. But due to their (25-24) record, teams have been very aggressive calling the Suns. It’s unclear where these talks go between now and tomorrow’s deadline.
Shams: Kevin Durant has no desire in reunion with Warriors pic.twitter.com/zeG1s12YKM
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) February 5, 2025
But one thing is clear around the league right now and that’s that Kevin Durant does not want to go back to the Warriors in any trade.”
ESPN’s Marc J. Spears doubled-down on Durant not wanting to return to Golden State. He then reported that he received a text that Durant-to-the-Warriors is “dead.”
Marc Spears:
“I was told that a couple of days ago when Kevin heard about this Warriors rumbling, he was like, ‘What? No. I dont wanna go back there'” https://t.co/8pMh8VQnJd pic.twitter.com/RVF4WiFsbV
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) February 5, 2025
“They’re moving on.”
There appear to be several contributing factors in regard to Durant’s reluctance to rejoin the Warriors.
Earlier on Wednesday, The Stein Line’s Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported that Durant has “serious reservations” about the move. The NBA insiders then added that there was “a growing belief that he wanted a dramatic change of scenery… and no longer wanted to play alongside Draymond Green,” while noting that Durant suffered his Achilles injury in 2018-19 as well.
Notably, the Suns do have interest in trading for Draymond Green. Maybe that makes a difference to Durant, but it’s clearly not enough of one. With that, Golden State now has to find another way to bridge their past and future. At the very least, they’ll have to figure out another way to keep their golden goose happy.
Jimmy Butler Still In Play?
The Warriors could still make a move for Butler.
The six-time All-Star still prefers to play for the Suns. However, he’s backed himself into a corner. Because he’s tainted his reputation, there will be even fewer teams willing to give him the contract that he’s looking for in free agency. There’s no guarantee that Phoenix will be able to, or still desire to, for that matter. As a result, picking up his player option for 2025-26 may be his best option.
Frankly, that’s all the time that the Warriors need, as Curry is only under contract through 2027, when he’ll be 39 years old.
© Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
