Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr recently confirmed that the Dubs attempted to reunite with a title-craving star forward before the Feb. 6 trade deadline.
With the 2014 MVP stating he had no interest in returning to the Bay, the Warriors elected to acquire former Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler in a blockbuster deal in early February.
However, relevant news from an NBA insider could dictate how Golden State approaches free agency.
"Kevin Durant, I'm like 98% sure he's not gonna be a (Phoenix) Sun next year, how it works out though I'm about 1% sure,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said last Wednesday.
“There's gonna be a number of teams interested, but some of it is gonna depend on whether they see KD as a player they keep on a one-year contract or if they want to give him a contract extension.”
Based on Windhorst’s report, Sports Illustrated’s Liam Willerup believes a Warriors and Durant reunion could materialize this summer.
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“Despite that Durant will be 37 years old by the start of next season, he's still playing at an elite level as one of the NBA's top scorers,” Willerup wrote on May. 28.
“However, if Golden State wants to make a deal for him, it could cause a significant shake-up on the roster. But, if the Warriors see him as the final piece they need, they could pull the trigger to try and get (Stephen) Curry that fifth ring.”
From a playoff success standpoint, Durant spent the most productive years of his career with the Warriors. Fans criticized the former Oklahoma City Thunder phenom for signing with Golden State in 2016.
Still, the outside chatter had little to no effect on Durant, as the 15-time All-Star ended two of his three campaigns with the Dubs hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy.
Unfortunately, the lanky 6-foot-11 isolation specialist hasn't won another championship since leaving the Warriors in 2019.
That said, playing another season alongside the No. 1 shooter of all time, Curry, and a versatile, future Hall of Fame forward in Draymond Green could help Durant secure his third championship.
Kerr and the Warriors will likely make another attempt to land Durant this summer.
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