Back in June, it was reported that Kevin Durant could rejoin the Warriors as part proposed package. The deal would involve three of the Warriors’ current players and a 2025 first-round pick move to the Phoenix Suns while Steve Kerr would see Durant team up with Steph Curry again. However, any such move is yet to materialize, but hope is not lost for those who want to see him return to the Bay Area.

Kevin Durant famously signed a two-year deal with the Warriors in 2016 for a reported $54.3 million, with a Player Option for year 2. In his three years with the Warriors, Durant led the team to three NBA finals winning two of them, helping them get over the nightmare 2016 loss. The Slim Reaper appeared destined to reign with Curry for ages, but he left in 2019, seeking a fresh challenge. Despite his contentious exit, Steve Kerr fondly recalled the time with him and if Suns insider Benjamin Garcia is to be believed, there is still a chance for them to reunite.

While speaking on the Locked on Warriors podcast on Wednesday, the Suns enthusiast expanded on Durant’s “wanderer” nature. Garcia mentioned how Durant, who has played for four teams in his career, has been surrounded by drama in three of his exits. Notably, not once has he revisited any destination. With the Warriors, he achieved his desire of wanting to compete in the Finals and win. Yet, Garcia believes his enigmatic character could open up any possibilities in the coming future.

“No, the door is not closed on Durant to head back to the warriors. The door is not closed for Durant to pack up and retire right now and go play in Thailand. The guy marches to the beat of his own drum. He’s a career wanderer,” Garcia said.

Durant joined the Brooklyn Nets after leaving the Warriors in 2019. After spending nearly four years with the Nets, Durant requested a trade and signed with the Phoenix Suns in 2023 with hopes of challenging for the championship. However, according to a report in The Athletic Durant was unhappy with how he was used. The report stated that the two-time NBA Champion felt “he was being relegated to the corner far too often and not having the proper designs to play to his strengths.” This was after the Suns were swept by the Timberwolves in the first round of playoffs in April.

Hence, despite his 27.1 points average for the Suns, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing, and Benjamin Garcia believes a move to the Warriors could happen. “If it doesn’t work out this year or if the Suns in the middle of February, close to the trade deadline, and they are the sixth seed in the West and it’s still not clicking and Coach Bud didn’t figure it out… And yeah, absolutely he could be traded off to the Warriors. He could be traded off to the Rockets…He could go literally anywhere.”

These comments will stir the pot, especially after the Warriors coach Steve Kerr reflected on Durant’s tenure with the franchise with admiration. Speaking on the Dan Le Batard Show on September 17, Kerr said, “Those years were incredible. I loved coaching Kevin. I think that last year he was here, he was visibly wanting to move on.”

“We could feel it, and that was his choice as a free agent. Everything that he gave to us and brought to us, we will be thankful for that forever… Kevin’s an incredible player and I am blessed to have coached him,” he added.

Durant’s decision to leave the Warriors stemmed from his on-court spat with former teammate Draymond Green. In November 2018, during the game against the Clippers, the scores were tied at 106-106. In the final seconds, Green dribbled up the court and Durant desperately called for the ball, however, Green lost the ball and squandered a chance to win the game.

The two superstars exchanged words and had to be separated during the huddle before overtime as Durant told Green to “just pass the damn ball.” After Durant moved to the Brooklyn Nets in 2019, he admitted that his spat with Green played a role in his decision. Talking on ESPN’s First Take in October 2019, he said, “I mean, your teammate talked to you that way, you think about it a bit. We talked about it, but definitely [it was a factor], for sure. I’m not going to lie about it.”

Durant averaged 25.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists over three seasons with the Warriors and the Dub Nation would probably not mind having the wiry great back on their books. Despite Matt Ishbia claiming KD will stay, the season could unfold a different storyline. Not only does Phoenix have one of the highest payrolls, but they haven’t had sufficient success in the postseason with Durant.

The farthest they have gone is a Conference Semifinal in Durant’s first season. As a franchise, if they aren’t in a suitable position in February, they could opt to reshuffle the deck. Durant is a tempting component for all teams across the league. But his joining the Warriors seems unlikely.

Why the Warriors won’t pursue Kevin Durant

Even though Durant and Green had a less-than-ideal relationship in the former’s last year, Garcia still believes it won’t be a problem in any possible move. But what about the Warriors? Kerr was merely reminiscing, not crying out for help.

In the position the Warriors are placed in, their priority isn’t to compete immediately. With Curry’s one-year extension, it seems more of a process rather than an urgent affair. Even when their plans for Paul George and Lauri Markkanen failed, the Warriors front office didn’t make any hasty moves.

Obviously, the major reason is their wish to keep a young core intact. If there is ever a chase for their former provider, the Suns’ asking price won’t be cheap. Brandon Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga will most likely be non-negotiable. But why spoil something that showed flashes of immense development?

Podziemski could be a starter this season and the asks from Kuminga are bound to rise after the departure of Klay Thompson. Durant could drastically help the Warriors become instant contenders. Yet their foothold won’t be as strong as it was in 2017. They have lost integral pawns and the West has never been as stingy before.

So even if Durant might ever want the Warriors, it doesn’t make sense for the Bay to extend their hand.