Recently, rumors circulated about a possible reunion between Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warriors before the NBA trade deadline. According to reports, the Warriors were in talks with the Phoenix Suns regarding a potential trade for Durant. However, Durant decided against returning to the Warriors, opting to remain with the Suns for the remainder of the season. This decision came as a surprise to many fans, especially considering Durant’s successful tenure with Golden State just a few years ago.
Kevin Durant’s time with the Warriors was marked by triumph, including two consecutive NBA championships and Finals MVP honors in 2017 and 2018. Despite this success, Durant left the Warriors in 2019, signing a sign-and-trade deal with the Brooklyn Nets. After a few seasons with the Nets, Durant was traded once again, this time to Phoenix, where he now plays alongside Devin Booker. However, recent trade talks have sparked questions about whether Durant might consider returning to his former team.
According to ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk, Durant’s decision to stay in Phoenix rather than rejoin the Warriors was influenced by his feelings about the situation. Durant reportedly expressed that a return to Golden State “didn’t feel right” and that he was not eager to leave Phoenix anytime soon. This revelation sheds light on Durant’s thoughts and feelings regarding a possible Warriors reunion.
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who coached Durant during his successful years with the team, weighed in on the matter. Kerr stated that he understood Durant’s decision, acknowledging the immense pressure and criticism Durant faced during his time in Golden State. Kerr remarked that Durant had already endured backlash from critics who accused him of joining a “super team” and “jumping on the bandwagon” when he signed with the Warriors in 2016. Even though Durant’s performance earned him two Finals MVPs, the criticism never truly stopped. Kerr pointed out that given the continued scrutiny, it was understandable that Durant would not want to return to that environment.
Despite Kerr’s comments, fans have had mixed reactions to Durant’s decision. Many fans on social media have pointed to Draymond Green as the primary reason Durant chose not to reunite with the Warriors. Green, known for his fiery and sometimes controversial personality, was involved in a public feud with Durant during their time together in Golden State. Fans speculated that Durant’s negative experience with Green, along with the way the Warriors organization handled the situation, played a significant role in his decision to stay with Phoenix.
Some fans even blamed Green for the rift that ultimately led to Durant’s departure from Golden State. They argue that Durant was put off by the lack of support from his teammates, especially when Green publicly criticized him. This perception only seemed to grow stronger after Green’s incident with Jordan Poole, another Warriors teammate. Many fans believe that Durant witnessed these situations and felt that a return to Golden State would involve dealing with the same issues once again.
Durant’s decision to remain with the Suns, however, is not just about avoiding drama. The Suns’ current roster, with Booker leading the charge, presents a solid opportunity for Durant to continue competing at the highest level. Durant has been a valuable asset to the Suns, helping them remain competitive in the Western Conference. His decision to stay with Phoenix speaks to his confidence in the team’s direction and his desire to focus on winning without the distractions of past controversies.
Although Durant’s return to the Warriors was a tantalizing possibility, his choice to stay with the Suns indicates that he is more focused on his future and what gives him the best chance at success. Whether or not the Warriors will continue to pursue Durant in the future remains to be seen, but for now, Durant is determined to help lead the Suns to further success as they make a push for the postseason. For the Warriors, it’s back to the drawing board as they search for new ways to improve their roster without the addition of the four-time scoring champion.