The recent Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis mega swap has made one thing clear. No superstar has a secure future anymore. With that, a possible Kevin Durant reunion with the Warriors can’t be ruled out. Most recently, his agent Rich Kleiman sat beside Joe Lacob, sprouting intensity behind those rumors. But what’s the way to get the Slim Reaper back to the Bay? It all comes down to the Jimmy Butler situation in Miami again.

Obviously, the Warriors could make a direct play for KD. According to Anthony Slater “as far as money goes, it has to be him or Wiggins”. But Green isn’t someone the Bay is considering parting with. And from the Suns’ perspective, their pursuit to land Butler has been widely recognized around the league. Hence, Slater suspects a multi-team trade in the works with the Warriors having to part ways with their slashing wing scorers.

“I would think if Jimmy Butler is being rerouted, if Miami or if the Warriors are going to get Jimmy Butler to give Jimmy Butler to Phoenix, then it would probably be Wiggins going to Miami,” Slater pointed on The Athletic’s NBA Daily podcast. Furthermore, with the Phoenix wanting a decent return, Kuminga “is a name for obvious reasons that intrigues the Suns”.

The specifics of the deal, though, are somewhat blue. However, a KD-Warriors resurgence is only possible due to Phoenix’s complexity in trading Bradley Beal. His no-trade clause makes it difficult to find an easy way to bring Jimmy Butler in. Additionally, Slater also believes the Warriors’ patience played well in this scenario.

Durant only has a single year left in his contract. Recently, the Kings traded De’Aaron Fox due to the uncertainty of him signing an extension beyond his current contract. Hence, although Phoenix could be dreaming of a ‘Big 3’ with Butler, Durant and Devin Booker, they could be forced to burn those plans.

Kevin Durant is the perfect dance partner for Stephen Curry?

A move for Kevin Durant wouldn’t resume the dynasty days for the Warriors. However, for a team struggling to stitch together an array of wins, the Slim Reaper may just be the ideal counterpart for Curry. Currently, with the absence of another consistent scoring outlet, Curry has been subject to being harassed by opposition defenses.

That has led to his efficiency and output both taking a drastic drop. However, install Kevin Durant back into the system and defenses can’t sag off anymore. The strategy of getting beat by another player doesn’t hold when that player is the “smoothest scorer to that’s played the game” according to Steve Kerr.

Furthermore, the Warriors won’t have the adjustment problem that is imminent for the Los Angeles Lakers with Luka Doncic.

Although Durant only spent three seasons with the Warriors, they managed to get the NBA Finals each time. Only time they lost is when the 36-year-old suffered a season-ending ACL injury against the Raptors. He is well acclimated with how Kerr wants to run the team. Still averaging 26.9 points on ludicrous efficiency, Durant is unfazed by any defensive schemes.

The loss of Andrew Wiggins and potentially Kuminga could hurt the depth and defensive prowess of the Warriors. But at the same time, their offense will be swift, and Durant’s size and effort on defense is still difficult to tackle. Does it guarantee a championship? Probably not. However, considering it’s a three-year window, a Curry-KD partnership can lure some system-friendly free agents in the coming seasons.

It’s the base for a championship-built team. And it also helps ease the pressure off Stephen Curry, paving the way for him to regain his electric form once again.