NBA Trade Rumors: Kevin Durant & Warriors Deemed Each Other’s ‘Only Hope’ By Bay Area Veteran

Since 2019, Kevin Durant has played for 6 different HCs and registered only 2 playoff wins. This is since he left the Golden State. His coaches include Kenny Atkinson, Steve Nash, Jacque Vaughn, Frank Vogel, and Monty Williams. Of course, there’s something wrong that a man of that caliber isn’t able to revive his skills back ever since he left Stephen Curry and co.’s side. So, could the Bay Area be the ultimate fairytale ending for him?

Well, there is a possibility for the Slim Reaper to join hands with Stephen Curry once again. The Golden State Warriors reached the peak of their dynasty during the KD era, reaching three Finals in a row and winning the first two of them. Following his departure, he’s been nowhere close to another ring while Steph & Co. won another. This year, things were different. Both of them struggled this season. So the lead host of the 95.7 The Game, Mark Willard, couldn’t help but drop a few pieces of advice for them in the most relatable way possible.

Willard pulled out a ‘Star Wars’ reference to help KD. He said, “You have almost no time left. With the young talent in the NBA, everyone will doubt adding KD will be enough, anyway.” After stating a grave threat to KD’s career, he dropped an iconic pop-culture dialogue, “I can look at [the Warriors and KD] and do the Princess Leia. You’re each other’s only hope,” via Willard & Dibs podcast. Without a doubt, these words now make a lot of sense after several big names crashed out of the current season.

It makes sense that the Warriors and Kevin Durant reunite. There’s absolutely no way Durant and Curry-led Warriors can still make it to the Finals. So, pursuing this deal with Durant, who has helped them win 2 Championships in the past, does make sense. Of course, there are no official comments by Durant and the Warriors on this “trade”, but per the Athletic, Durant isn’t satisfied with his role with the Suns. After getting swept off by the Timberwolves in this first Playoff series with a 4-0 whitewash, this satisfaction grew manifold. Mark Willard also feels that the Warriors are noting all of this, so it may be possible there are possible trade movements that will happen after the Finals.

Kevin Durant formed multiple super teams after his exit from the Dubs. But none of them worked out, as they either crashed out or couldn’t reach closer to the ring. However, as both KD and Steph have entered the final few laps of their career, maybe they could act as Obi-Wan Kenobi to each other as a reference to an iconic scene from ‘Star Wars’. In which Princess Leia says, “Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, You’re my only hope.”

The Warriors trade scenario- Is Kevin Durant on their horizon?

The Golden State can loop Durant back in because they do have the right assets in the form of their new core – Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Brandin Podziemski. The current Warriors’ side isn’t the same team since Durant left. While the core three stuck together for all these years, the supporting cast has completely changed. The inclusion of young blood has strengthened the side considerably.

However, the core three that stuck together for over 10 years might have a dent in their run. Everything has to do with Klay Thompson‘s upcoming free agency. In the 2023 off-season, Draymond Green signed a 4-year extension worth $100 million. Meanwhile, earlier this season, Thompson turned down a $48 million 2-year extension.

Moreover, the sharpshooter couldn’t end his season on a high note. He went scoreless on a do-or-die game that could have fetched a playoff spot for the Dubs. Following that game, a trade rumor engulfed the Dub Nation. Many reports suggested that the Orlando Magic have eyed to bag Thompson to add a catch-and-shoot veteran star to their budding franchise.

This brings us to another reason Durant will fit in perfectly well in the Warriors’ puzzle: Curry will need his support. Let’s face it, Curry isn’t growing younger. He is 36, nevertheless talented. He can easily lead the team, but still needs reassurance and support from someone he can consistently rely on. Durant can give him that cushion to fall back on. Together, both can maximize each other’s potential.

Earlier too, Durant and the Bay Area fit in perfectly well with each other. His return for the upcoming season will help him stay in his natural habitat of a small Forward again. The Warriors won’t need him to function as a defensive anchor since they already have Draymond Green for that. This way, Durant can be at ease, take care of himself, and pamper his aging body too.

Even Curry has made it clear that he is open to the idea of having Durant back. Just last year, he said, “We know our games gel, we know how to play basketball, so if it ended up being that, of course, I’d love to play with him”. 

So, will the franchise officially make this reunion a possibility? It’s high time the top brass of the GSW franchise come together once again and win yet another ring! What’s your take on it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.