You’ve probably heard the saying: Steph Curry heals all wounds.
The 2019 departure of Kevin Durant from the Golden State Warriors left a mark, with emotions running high. Tensions began brewing earlier in Durant’s stint with the team and lingered even through his final season. However, despite those issues, the Warriors made it to the NBA Finals, with injuries to Durant and Klay Thompson playing a bigger role in their loss than any relationship problems. Recently, Curry and Durant have clearly mended their relationship, especially after leading Team USA to a gold medal at the Paris Summer Olympics—coached by none other than Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.
Why does it matter that Curry and Durant are on good terms? As the Trade Deadline looms, reports suggest that the Warriors are actively contacting teams with All-Star players to explore trade possibilities. The Dallas Mavericks shocked everyone by trading their 25-year-old MVP candidate, and rumors suggest another superstar might be available. In fact, Jake Fischer from The Stein Line has reported that the Suns are fielding calls about Durant, with the Warriors being one of the teams reaching out.
Could Curry and Durant reunite? Let’s break down what a trade could look like and whether it would make sense for the Warriors.
Kevin Durant Trade Breakdown
The Phoenix Suns are currently a second apron team, limiting their trade options. They can trade Durant, but must do so without combining his salary with another player’s and must receive less salary in return. While it’s still possible for the Warriors to acquire Durant, it would likely involve sending multiple players back to Phoenix, with a third team possibly facilitating salary adjustments. Enter the Toronto Raptors, known for helping facilitate trades, who have the necessary financial flexibility to make the deal work.
Here’s one potential trade structure to bring Durant back to the Bay:
Toronto Raptors: Receive Dennis Schroder, two second-round picks
Phoenix Suns: Receive Jonathan Kuminga, 2025 and 2027 first-round picks, Andrew Wiggins, Buddy Hield, Davion Mitchell (TOR)
Golden State Warriors: Receive Kevin Durant, Damion Lee, Monte Morris
In this scenario, the Raptors take on Dennis Schroder, who earns about double Davion Mitchell’s salary ($13 million), while also getting two second-round picks. The Suns receive Andrew Wiggins, Buddy Hield, and Davion Mitchell as the main salary matching pieces. Wiggins and Hield are on multi-year contracts, but the Suns have been known to overlook that. Mitchell is on an expiring deal and could be re-signed.
There’s speculation that the Suns might prefer Draymond Green, given Matt Ishbia’s Michigan State connections, though it seems likely the Warriors would keep Green to make one last push for a championship. Jonathan Kuminga, the centerpiece of the deal, would give the Suns a young forward to develop alongside Devin Booker or trade for another star if they choose to focus on winning now.
Add in the two first-round picks, and this trade could be plausible for the Suns. But should the Warriors pull the trigger?
Grading the Kevin Durant Trade for the Warriors
Kevin Durant + Stephen Curry = Basketball Magic. That’s been proven time and again. The pair of Durant and Curry is one of the most dominant combos in NBA history, capable of overwhelming opposing defenses with their shooting and scoring.
Although their peak years are behind them, Durant would still provide the Warriors with the scoring option they need and offer 48 minutes of Hall of Fame-level playmaking and shooting. A potential lineup could feature Curry, Moses Moody, Durant, Draymond Green, and Kevon Looney, with Brandin Podziemski, Kyle Anderson, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Monte Morris coming off the bench.
Durant’s contract includes a $54.7 million salary for next season, the final year of his four-year deal with the Brooklyn Nets. The Warriors would almost certainly offer him a max extension, though only for two seasons due to the over-38 rule.
Of course, there’s risk involved. Durant is getting older, and his injury history, while mostly minor, has sometimes led to long absences. His departure from the Warriors in 2019 wasn’t exactly amicable, and his recent teams haven’t lived up to expectations.
But let’s not forget: there are few players in NBA history who can score like Durant. It’s effortless and special to watch.
It would be something extraordinary to see Durant and Curry reunite. The deal is expensive, but for a player of Durant’s caliber, it seems like the right kind of cost. It’s not a guaranteed win, but it’s definitely worth considering.
Grade: B
