In the sweltering heat of Phoenix summer, Jimmy Butler’s dreams of wearing the Suns’ purple and orange are melting away faster than an ice cream cone on the sidewalk. And at the center of this NBA drama is Bradley Beal, an immovable object in a league of unstoppable objects. His stance around not being traded out of Phoenix has become the fixed point in the NBA trade deadline shuffle.

According to Jake Fischer’s report, “The unrelenting word continues to be that Beal has no desire to bless a trade pretty much anywhere and prefers to remain in Phoenix, where his family has been settling after finally leaving the nation’s capital”. The commitment to his new home has thrown a wrench in the gears of several potential blockbuster trades.

Jimmy Butler’s hopes of joining the Suns have effectively been dashed by Beal’s decision. With Beal unwilling to waive his no-trade clause, the Miami Heat star is now blocked from his path to Phoenix. The Suns’ front office, despite their best efforts to accumulate draft capital for a potential Butler trade, find themselves in a precarious position, unable to move the pieces necessary to bring the disgruntled Heat forward to the desert.

However, when one trade possibility closes, another juicy rumor springs up. And this one? It’s about Kevin Durant—and a potential return to his old stomping grounds. In a desperate attempt to improve their roster, the Golden State Warriors are said to be considering a reunion with KD. In 2019 they sent him packing and now with their roster afloat and Championship hopes teetering on a thread, the idea of Durant returning to the Bay is being wheeled out.

Warriors to go all in for Kevin Durant and other superstars

The Golden State Warriors aren’t sitting around waiting for luck to strike. They’re aggressively chasing after a big name star to team up with Stephen Curry before the February 6 trade deadline. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the Warriors are making calls about almost every available All-Star out there.

Some of the biggest names on their radar? LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, and Paul George. While Golden State knows their championship window isn’t closed, their current 24-24 record is barely enough to keep them in playoff contention and they need a major shakeup, and fast.

However, it’s not as simple as making a few phone calls. LeBron James has a no-trade clause and plans to finish the season with the Lakers. Kevin Durant is locked in with the Suns, and they aren’t eager to part ways. As for Jimmy Butler? He reportedly told the Warriors he wouldn’t sign an extension if they traded for him, so that door is closed too.

But the Warriors aren’t going to give up. Zach LaVine, Brandon Ingram and Nikola Vučević are also other potential targets. As the trade deadline fast approaches, Golden State is leaving no out of reach in their search for another star. One thing is clear, they are not willing to settle for anything less than a blockbuster deal, whether or not they pull it off.