For a brief period, several NBA reporters were suggesting that Kevin Durant would potentially reunite with the Golden State Warriors.
Now, however, it seems those talks have stalled and a potential deal is no longer likely. There are several reasons why a deal fails to materialize, but based on the reporting it seems that the main reason this one did not happen is due to hesitance from Durant.
Here is the latest from Marc Stein and Jake Fischer (via The Stein Line):
“1. There is a distinct sense percolating now that Durant does not want to be traded at all this week … to the extent that he can control it.
2. It is believed that Durant has some serious reservations about a second Warriors stint if he were to be shipped there.”
Durant does not have a no-trade clause, but as noted by Chris Haynes, the Warriors would not have much interest in trading for Durant if he does not actually want to play there.
As Golden State pursues Phoenix's Kevin Durant, the two-time Warriors NBA Finals MVP has no desire in a reunion and does not want to go back. Reporting for NBA Today: pic.twitter.com/tNeTzw2gCf
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2025
Shams Charania offered a similar take as well (via ESPN):
“The Warriors have been seriously pursuing Kevin Durant over the last week. But sources tell me that Durant has no desire in a reunion with the Warriors. He does not want to go back to the Warriors, where he won two championships, where he won two Finals MVPs … One thing is clear around the league right now, that’s Kevin Durant does not want to go back to the Warriors in any trade. So for the Warriors, do they continue this pursuit of Kevin Durant?”
If the Warriors were to go after him despite his lack of interest, it won’t come cheap.
Here is the reported cost, according to Sam Amick (via The Athletic):
“In exploratory conversations, the Warriors have only been met with an exorbitant asking price in theoretical structures — essentially everything of future value — considering the tricky spot the Suns seem to find themselves. League sources say four-time All-Star forward Draymond Green, who has an established relationship with fellow Michigan State alum and Suns owner Mat Ishbia, is among the Warriors players Phoenix is known to covet.”
Golden State is simply not going to give up “everything of future value” for a player who does not want to play for them.
So that is probably why ESPN’s Marc Spears reported that the deal is “dead” currently.
