There is definitely change coming to the Golden State Warriors this offseason, and one prominent team insider believes a reunion with the man who won back-to-back NBA Finals MVPs is a real possibility this summer.
There is no other way to say it than the 2023-24 season for the Warriors was a massive disappointment. While they were not viewed as serious title contenders heading into the season, few expected them to miss the playoffs entirely after falling to the Sacramento Kings in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
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Having the largest payroll in the league at $224 million only makes their season results all the more disastrous and that is why there are sure to be changes to the roster this summer. Klay Thompson is expected to test his value in free agency, and both Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green will likely find their names tossed into trade speculation in the months ahead.
However, while some long-time veterans of the franchise could be playing elsewhere next season, NBC Sports Golden State Warriors reporter Monte Poole believes a reunion with Kevin Durant could be possible too. And the summer Olympics may be where conversations about the idea begin.
Why a Kevin Durant and Golden State Warriors reunion makes sense
“Any moves the Warriors make this summer will be out of extreme urgency to maximize the Curry window. In short, adding a plug-and-play star,” Poole wrote this week. “Durant and Curry will reunite in July as members of Team USA. [Steve] Kerr is the head coach. Assuming no movement in the interim, they will have almost six weeks to engage in conversation and reminiscence.
“[Warriors owner Joe] Lacob, who already committed to retiring Durant’s number, might be willing to personally lay the red carpet for KD’s return. A KD-Warriors reunion is not as far-fetched as it might seem,” he continued, “It’s more conceivable than consummating a deal with LeBron James, something the Warriors pondered in February.”
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- Kevin Durant stat (2023-24): 27.1 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 5.0 SPG, 41% 3PT
The 14-time All-Star and the Phoenix Suns were also a disappointment this season and there has already been speculation he could look to find his way out of town in the months ahead. Especially if they do not move on from head coach Frank Vogel. Since leaving the Warriors in 2019, Durant has seen how difficult it is to create a serious title contender with Brooklyn and Phoenix.
Since the Warriors did make a serious push to trade for Lebron James earlier this year, it would make a lot more sense to bring Kevin Durant back due to the previous success he has had in Golden State and because he is still playing at an elite level.
Another key question in a potential deal is do the Golden State Warriors have assets the Suns would covet in a trade. That will be up for much debate.
