Kevin Durant didn’t want a trade to the Golden State Warriors ahead of the NBA’s Feb. 6 deadline, but his tune on a return to the Bay Area has changed meaningfully in the three weeks since.
Durant appeared on “The Draymond Green Show With Baron Davis,” on Wednesday, Feb. 26, and opened up to his former teammate about why he didn’t want to leave the Phoenix Suns mid-season.
With just one year remaining on his contract and the Suns struggling to remain in the Western Conference playoff picture, they currently occupy 11th place, 2.5 games and one spot out of the NBA’s Play-In Tournament.
Durant softened his stance from a full veto of a trade back to the Warriors to “figuring it out” this summer.
“I didn’t want to move, and I get why you want to trade me, simple fact that’s business,” Durant said. “But for me looking at it … we can play the season out and if that’s the decision you want to make in the offseason, then we figure it out.”
The Warriors gave up Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, Dennis Schroeder, Lindy Waters III and a top-10 protected first-round pick in 2025 in order to get Butler.
Golden State will need to rustle up enough player money to match Durant’s $54.7 million salary in 2025-26, which could mean signing Jonathan Kuminga to a big extension and including him in the deal.
The team will also need to put together a draft asset/player package that could compete with other offers for Durant from around the NBA if he hits the trade block.
Former Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant.
© Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
“I’m told that the Warriors remain confident that they have maintained far more flexibility than many of their rivals to make another big move either next offseason or at next year’s trade deadline,” Tim Kawakami wrote in The San Francisco Standard on Feb. 7. “They still have their first-round picks in 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2031.”
Based on NBA rules, the Warriors can’t trade all of those selections, but multiple first-rounders should allow Golden State the opportunity to get in on discussions for a player like Durant.
Furthermore, the Warriors have been clear that they are prepared to go all-in to maximize the remainder of Stephen Curry’s tenure in the Bay.
