In a revelation that’s already sending shockwaves through the NBA, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has stated that Kevin Durant is “expected to either remain with the Phoenix Suns or be traded to the Miami Heat.” What’s even more eye-catching is his insistence that a Golden State Warriors reunion — something many fans and analysts have fantasized about — is simply not going to happen. Durant, according to sources close to the situation, has “no interest whatsoever” in revisiting his past with the Bay Area franchise.
For weeks, speculation has swirled over Durant’s next move. The Suns’ season has been rocky, with inconsistent performances and internal questions about their roster’s ability to truly contend. Durant, now in the later stages of his career, is laser-focused on competing for a championship while still being in a situation that fits his personality and legacy. And while the Warriors option might sound like an easy ring-chasing path, it’s clear Durant sees that chapter as firmly closed.
The reason? Insiders say there’s still lingering tension between Durant and some of Golden State’s core — not necessarily open hostility, but unresolved feelings from his controversial departure in 2019. The infamous “Draymond Green incident” during the 2018-19 season is said to still hang in the air, and some in Durant’s camp feel returning would be “a step backward” for his personal brand. More importantly, Durant is wary of the media frenzy that would inevitably paint him as taking the easy way out yet again, rather than forging his own legacy elsewhere.
Miami, on the other hand, seems to intrigue Durant on multiple levels. The Heat have a gritty, defense-first culture under Erik Spoelstra, a proven track record of competing deep into the playoffs, and a city lifestyle that Durant is said to admire. Pairing him with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo could instantly make Miami one of the most dangerous teams in the East. Still, pulling off such a trade would require significant roster moves, and the Heat’s front office is reportedly weighing how much of their future they’re willing to mortgage for Durant.
Phoenix, meanwhile, remains Durant’s current home and is still in the running for his long-term commitment. Devin Booker and Bradley Beal give the Suns a potent offensive trio, but questions about depth, health, and overall chemistry remain. League sources say that Durant isn’t necessarily unhappy in Phoenix — but he’s also not entirely convinced that this is the best place to spend the remainder of his prime.
One thing’s certain: Durant’s refusal to entertain a Warriors reunion kills one of the juiciest narratives the NBA media has been holding onto. Fans dreaming of a Steph-Klay-Durant reunion tour will have to let that fantasy go. For Durant, it’s about looking forward, not backward.
As the trade deadline looms, the NBA world will be watching every whisper and every move. Will Miami go all-in to bring Durant to South Beach? Or will the Suns make the right tweaks to convince their superstar to stay put? Either way, Kevin Durant’s decision could reshape the championship landscape in both conferences — and his refusal to return to Golden State ensures that the path forward will be anything but predictable.
