The Warriors weren’t expecting Kevin Durant to be so dismissive about a potential reunion.
Before they acquired Jimmy Butler, Golden State tried to bring Durant back to the Bay Area and had a three-team trade in place that would’ve given the 36-year-old a chance to compete for his third championship with the franchise.
But Durant’s “coldness” about the idea was “unexpected” by Warriors brᴀss, according to The Athletic.
The deal in place between the Warriors, Suns and Heat would’ve sent Durant to Golden State and Butler to Phoenix, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported Thursday morning on “Get Up,” but Durant “stepped up” to make it known he did not want to return to Golden State.
So the Warriors then shifted gears and acquired Butler, who has been in a months-long feud with the Heat and has been suspended by the team three times over his behavior.
Butler received a two-year, $111 million contract extension from the Warriors while declining his $52 million player option for next season, per ESPN.
The Warriors, who fell to 25-25 with Wednesday’s loss to the Jazz and are in a three-way tie for ninth place in the Western Conference, have been desperately trying to add a premiter scorer alongside Curry to make one more run at a championship.
They even considered the possibility of trying to add both Durant and LeBron James, who reportedly is committed to the Lakers after their blockbuster trade for Luka Doncic that sent Anthony Davis to the Mavericks.
The Suns, also 25-25, have disappointed with the trio of Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, the latter of whom has been the subject of trade rumors for weeks but is reportedly not inclined to waive his no-trade clause.
It’s unclear whether Durant, who missed Wednesday’s loss to the Thunder with an ankle injury, could be moved elsewhere before Thursday’s 3 p.m. NBA trade ᴅᴇᴀᴅline.
