For about a month, the situation between Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat seemed to be the center of the basketball world. But in the days leading up to the February 6 trade deadline, the attention seems to be everywhere else but on South Beach.
The Luka Doncic to Los Angeles Lakers, Anthony Davis to Dallas Mavericks trade shook up the world. So much so that the one involving De’Aaron Fox and Zach LaVine went under the radar.
The nature of that Doncic-Davies trade means that everything now seems possible and that is being reflected in the media.
Almost out of nowhere, Kevin Durant is being linked with a return to the Golden State Warriors, the franchise he won two Championships with but left under a dark cloud.
According to Anthony Slater in The Athletic: “The Warriors, league sources said, have inquired about Durant’s availability, as Jake Fischer reported on Monday morning.”
It is unclear whether Durant would even be up for a return to the Warriors. Then there is the Suns’ stance when it comes to parting with one of the best players in the league.
Yet, questions are being raised about Durant’s future in Phoenix as the Suns struggle to acquire Butler.
Durant has not signed a contract extension beyond next season which means that he has plenty of control over his future while the Suns have something to think about if they fail to land Butler before the trade deadline.
Interestingly, it looks like there have been some recent interactions between Warriors owner Joe Lacob and Durant’s agent as well.
Slater wrote: “Golden State owner Joe Lacob sits in the first row across from the Warriors’ bench and often hosts guests in the two seats next to him. Against the Suns, he had Rich Kleiman – Durant’s long-time agent and business partner – planted directly to his left. The two were seen conversing during the game and were spotted together at halftime and postgame in the Bridge Club, an exclusive lounge in the underbelly of the arena between the home and visiting locker rooms.”
So, all things considered, this seems like a situation worth keeping an eye on as we head towards the trade deadline with the Warriors seeming intent on landing a superstar to partner Curry.
On the other hand, if the Suns end up trading Durant, it would be an admission of defeat in the eyes of many as they struggle to find a destination for Bradley Beal, who has a no-trade clause in his contract.
If Durant somehow ends up on the Warriors, do not expect to see Butler don the Suns uniform.
