Kevin Durant has shot down reports that he turned down a reunion with the Warriors ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline.
In an interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, Durant revealed he was against being “traded midway through the season” and that he harbors no ill feelings against the Warriors, the franchise he helped win two titles in 2017 and 2018. Durant left Golden State for Brooklyn in 2019 after enduring a career-threatening Achilles injury.
Following Durant’s exit from San Francisco, several analysts blamed the Warriors for misdiagnosing his injury and rushing him back in the 2019 NBA Finals. As such, it was widely presumed that he had no intention to return to Golden State based on how his injury was handled. However, Durant’s latest comments suggest otherwise, leaving the door open for his potential reunion with Stephen Curry and Co.
Durant also seemingly left the door open for a trade to another team. When asked if he’d be open to switching teams this summer, Durant said he understands the business of the NBA, and wouldn’t be shocked if the Suns make him available in trade talks.
“I didn’t ask for a trade from Phoenix,” Durant told ESPN. “But, obviously, when you pay so much for a team and we’re not playing up to our expectation, someone has to go. Probably should check in with those guys in the front office throughout the rest of the season to see how they’re feeling about the team. I know I’m going to try to keep bringing my best every single day. I’ll let the higher-ups focus on what’s next.”
As Durant alluded, the Suns have the highest payroll in the NBA and find themselves as the 11th seed in the West. The Suns’ subpar return on investment is why NBA insiders expect the franchise to trade Durant or potentially blow up the roster this offseason.
