Return of the King? Kevin Durant Linked to Potential Reunion with the Golden State Warriors
San Francisco, CA — Could the unthinkable happen? Could one of the NBA’s most polarizing moves — Kevin Durant joining the Golden State Warriors — have a second chapter?
With multiple league insiders reporting this week that Kevin Durant could be eyeing a possible reunion with the Warriors, the basketball world is once again on alert. The man who once rocked the NBA by joining a 73-win team may be looking to come home to the Bay — and this time, the reaction could be very different.
Insiders say both Durant and Golden State have mutual interest in exploring a reunion, depending on how the offseason unfolds. For a franchise seeking to maximize Stephen Curry’s final championship window, and for a player looking to add more rings to his legacy, the reunion could make sense — even if it would shake the NBA to its core.
The Origins of the Dynasty: Remembering KD’s First Stint in the Bay
Before diving into the current rumors, let’s rewind to 2016 — a year that changed the trajectory of the NBA.
The Warriors, fresh off a record-setting 73-9 regular season, lost the 2016 NBA Finals to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers after blowing a 3-1 series lead. Just weeks later, the franchise pulled off the biggest free agent acquisition in modern NBA history: Kevin Durant, the 2014 MVP and a generational scorer, joined Golden State.
What followed was nothing short of dominance:
-
2017 NBA Championship (Durant: Finals MVP)
-
2018 NBA Championship (Durant: Finals MVP)
-
2019 NBA Finals Appearance (Durant tore his Achilles in Game 5)
The Warriors went 207-39 in the regular season during Durant’s three years and posted an astonishing 16-1 playoff run in 2017 — widely regarded as the most dominant postseason ever.
But the partnership ended with tension. Durant felt underappreciated by fans and some teammates. He left in 2019 for a new challenge in Brooklyn, sparking debates about ego, legacy, and loyalty.
Now, five years later, a stunning twist: the door to the Bay may be back open.
The Present: Why a Reunion Is Back on the Table
1. Phoenix’s Uncertain Future
Durant is currently with the Phoenix Suns, a team that went all-in by pairing him with Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. But after a disappointing 2024 playoff sweep and persistent questions about the team’s depth, age, and direction, Phoenix appears stuck.
Reports from NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski suggest that Phoenix may explore breaking up the trio if a compelling offer arrives.
“The Suns are facing tough decisions with cap inflexibility and lack of draft assets. If they want to reset around Booker, moving Durant could be their best path,” Woj said on ESPN.
Durant has two years left on his contract and no trade clause — but Phoenix is unlikely to keep an unhappy superstar if things continue to spiral.
2. Durant’s Legacy Calculus
Durant has two rings, but critics still question their value because he joined an already dominant team. His Brooklyn stint ended in failure, and Phoenix is trending in the same direction.
Sources close to Durant say he’s increasingly aware that time is running out — and joining a contender where he can win and feel respected is now his top priority.
Enter Golden State.
“Kevin still loves Steph. He respects Steve Kerr. And he knows he played his best basketball in the Bay,” said one insider.
What Would a KD Reunion Look Like?
If Durant truly wants back, the Warriors have to decide whether the benefits outweigh the baggage. But from a basketball standpoint, the fit remains nearly perfect.
On-Court Fit:
-
Steph Curry’s gravity opens up the floor for Durant like no other.
-
Draymond Green provides the defensive anchor and emotional spark.
-
Steve Kerr’s system suits Durant’s off-ball movement and mid-range mastery.
-
Durant’s versatility solves Golden State’s size, length, and scoring issues.
Durant would likely slot in at the 3 or 4, allowing the Warriors to return to the devastating “Death Lineup” — or an upgraded version of it:
PG: Steph Curry
SG: Brandin Podziemski / Gary Payton II
SF: Kevin Durant
PF: Draymond Green
C: Kevon Looney / Free agent signee
That unit is switchable, deadly in transition, and packed with playoff experience.
Inside the Locker Room: How Would Curry and Draymond React?
Despite their rocky breakup in 2019, there’s no animosity between Curry and Durant. In fact, Steph has continued to speak glowingly of Durant in interviews.
“KD is one of the best to ever play. We accomplished greatness together,” Curry said recently on The Old Man & The Three podcast.
Draymond Green, whose heated 2018 argument with Durant was seen as a turning point, has since repaired the relationship. They’ve appeared on each other’s shows and even shared offseason workouts.
Sources close to both players say the maturity and respect are mutual. Durant isn’t the same person he was in 2016. Neither is Draymond.
Kerr has already laid the groundwork too, telling reporters:
“I’d coach Kevin again in a heartbeat.”
Trade Mechanics: What Would It Take?
Durant is still a superstar, and Phoenix won’t give him away. But they might entertain a deal if they can rebuild depth and regain draft assets.
Trade Proposal:
Golden State receives:
-
Kevin Durant
Phoenix receives:
-
Andrew Wiggins
-
Jonathan Kuminga
-
Moses Moody
-
2026 and 2028 first-round picks
-
2027 pick swap
The Warriors give up future flexibility, but keep Steph, Draymond, and Podziemski — forming a win-now core.
Phoenix gets:
-
A rising star in Kuminga
-
Valuable picks
-
Two starting-level wings to pair with Booker
Would it sting? Yes. But would it be worth it? For a final run with Steph and KD, maybe so.
Public Reaction: Mixed Emotions, Massive Buzz
Fans are divided — but engaged.
“If KD wants back, I’m all for it. We’re not winning anything without a major move. Let’s go out with a bang,”
— @WarriorForLife23 on X
“Nah. Too much drama. We already did this. Time to build the next era, not relive the old one,”
— @DubNationEthan
Media voices are equally split.
-
Chris Broussard: “This move makes too much sense. They win 60+ games if it happens.”
-
Stephen A. Smith: “I love KD, but I’m not sure the Warriors need that chapter again.”
-
Zach Lowe: “This would be the most fascinating story in years. The NBA needs chaos.”
What It Means for Durant’s Legacy
Critics argue that going back to Golden State might reignite the “took the easy way out” narrative, but others suggest it’s actually the smartest legacy play Durant could make.
He wouldn’t be a sidekick — he’d be a co-leader with Steph. And he’d be joining a fully formed culture, not one he had to carry alone like in Brooklyn.
A title in his second Warriors stint could validate both phases of his career — and show the maturity, humility, and hunger of a player still chasing greatness, not headlines.
What It Means for the NBA
If Durant returns to Golden State, the balance of power shifts overnight:
-
The Warriors become instant title favorites.
-
Western rivals like Denver and Minnesota feel the pressure.
-
The Lakers are forced to make aggressive moves.
-
Teams like OKC, Boston, and Milwaukee would reevaluate their timelines.
The league would be bracing for another Bay Area superpower — Version 2.0.
The Elephant in the Room: Will It Actually Happen?
So, is this reunion fantasy or a brewing reality?
Insiders say the interest is real, but multiple factors must align:
-
Phoenix must commit to a rebuild.
-
Golden State must part with youth and picks.
-
Durant must publicly express openness.
If those stars align, don’t be surprised if KD finds himself back where he won his only two championships.
A Storybook Return?
Time heals wounds. Championships mend egos. And the pursuit of greatness can bring even the most unlikely figures back together.
For Kevin Durant and the Warriors, the past was brilliant, the breakup was messy, but the potential for one last ride together could be the ultimate redemption arc.
Could the king return to his golden throne?
Could Steph and KD rewrite their story — together?
We may be closer to that answer than anyone expected.
