The Butler-Heat saga finally comes to an end with the Warriors adding Jimmy to their squad. After taking a step back and making everyone believe the franchise wasn’t chasing the former Heat star anymore, the final hours revealed a different picture. But what caused the tables to turn? The mystery is now solved, as a Warriors insider reveals the possible cause– a private conversation between Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant.

Anthony Slater of The Athletic stated, “At some point in the last several days, Stephen Curry had a conversation with Kevin Durant that convinced him a reunion was extremely unlikely, no matter how much the Golden State Warriors ownership group and front office collectively “underestimated” Durant’s coldness toward a return, as one team source put it.”

While it was believed for some time that the Suns wouldn’t trade Durant due to his championship experience, that bubble was burst by Shams Charania, who disclosed that the two teams had discussed the 2-time champion. However, KD has been clear about his stance on any return. “Sources told me that Kevin Durant made clear in league circles he had no desire to go back to the Warriors,” the ESPN insider said on SportsCenter.

But Durant did have a very successful run with the Warriors, so what changed? The answer, it seems, lies with Draymond Green’s name coming up in an unexpected way.

Draymond Green gets blamed for Kevin Durant’s unsuccessful return

The Golden State Warriors considered a reunion with Kevin Durant a few days ago, and the player they felt could be offered to the Suns was Draymond Green. “The Warriors started to explore the feasibility of the Durant dream late last week and, in the process, Green’s name was floated. It’s plausible he would’ve been sent to Phoenix if some of the theoretical structures materialized,” Slater wrote. But the 34-year-old remained positive, trusting whatever decision the Warriors front office made.

“I always talk to Mike. But, no, what’s going to happen is going to happen. Ninety-five percent of the things you worry about never come true. If (I did get traded), then it just is what it is. My worries ain’t stopping it. So I wasn’t worried at all,” Draymond told The Athletic earlier regarding his potential trade. But ultimately, the Warriors shifted their focus to a trio of Curry, Draymond, and Jimmy Butler, and Durant was not on the trade cards any longer.

Although Draymond and Durant are on good terms now, things were far from good in 2018 when their argument was making headlines. The tension started after a loss to the Clippers, when Durant was reportedly upset with Green’s decision-making. Following the disappointing defeat, things got heated up in the Golden State locker room. At that time, Green challenged his then teammate about his upcoming free agency that summer.