All throughout this summer, Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant has wanted to be traded, and he has reportedly been unhappy with the culture and front office of the team.
Several other squads have inquired about him, but nothing has come even remotely close to happening in terms of a trade.
One team that may at least be intrigued by Durant is the Golden State Warriors, the last team he played for before arriving in the New York City area.
According to veteran NBA writer Bill Simmons, Warriors owner Joe Lacob is “enchanted” by the possibility of having a dynasty if he pulls the trigger for the two-time NBA Finals MVP.
“As you know, I have little birdies,” said Simmons. “My information is usually correct. … Joe [Lacob], pretty enchanted by the dynasty possibilities right now. … You bring Durant back, and now it’s like, ‘Could we win the next three titles in a row?’”
Actually, Bill, trading for Durant would limit the Warriors’ championship window rather than extend it.
Durant Is An Outstanding Player, But He Would Come With Risks
When Durant played for the Warriors from 2016 to 2019, he was right smack in the prime of his career.
He saved his best for the playoffs, as he averaged 29.6 points per game in 48 postseason games during that span.
In those years, Golden State reached the Finals each June, winning back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018.
June 7, 2017 // June 6, 2018
Kevin Durant came, he saw and he conquered (twice). pic.twitter.com/KubAiLUSSS
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) June 7, 2018
Although his stats today are roughly similar to his numbers back then, he has accumulated a lot of mileage.
Durant tore his Achilles during the 2019 championship series, and since then, he has had trouble consistently staying on the court, as he has only played in 90 of a possible 154 games over the last two seasons.
He will turn 34 years of age at the end of the summer, and along with his injury history, he is getting to the point of his career where he could fall off a cliff at any time.
It isn’t a sure bet he will play at least 70 games a season anymore either.
If the Warriors made a move for Durant and he got injured again, kaput would go their championship hopes.
It’s not like they even need him.
The Warriors Already Have An Embarrassment Of Riches
Along with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, the core of their dynasty, the Warriors have an army of young players who can help keep their window open for several more years.
Andrew Wiggins, Jordan Poole, Jonathan Kuminga, James Wiseman, and Moses Moody are all in their early-to-mid 20s and have greatly replenished the team after Durant’s departure.
Never forget when James Wiseman out-dueled Anthony Edwards last year pic.twitter.com/gUCtUYvfwp
— Zach☔️ (@ZACHWILS0NN) June 22, 2022
The only case that could possibly be made for going after Durant is the fact that Wiggins has one year left on his contract and will probably command a max salary that the team may not be able to afford.
However, the Nets are asking for a king’s ransom in return for Durant, and the Warriors would likely have to part ways with most of that young crew to bring him back.
In that case, they would be getting considerably older, and with Curry, Thompson, and Green 34, 32, and 32 years old, respectively, they need to surround all three with young players, not someone like Durant who is nearing the tail-end of his career.
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