Despite winning two NBA championships and Finals MVP awards with the Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant declined a return to the franchise before the 2025 trade deadline. Durant expressed his reluctance to be traded back to Golden State, citing criticism he faced during his previous stint with the team. Former Warriors general manager Bob Myers offered insight into Durant's decision, suggesting that Durant felt the brunt of scrutiny compared to his teammates. Durant also reportedly conveyed his desire to remain with the Phoenix Suns, stating he 'doesn't want to go anywhere' and 'doesn't want to be traded'.
The Golden State Warriors had ambitions of bringing back former star Kevin Durant before the 2025 NBA trade deadline . However, Durant ultimately declined any opportunity for a reunion. Despite winning two NBA Finals and two NBA Finals MVP awards while playing for the Warriors, Durant expressed his unwillingness to be traded back to Golden State, the team that helped him secure his first championship. The Warriors chose to respect Durant's wishes and pursued alternative options.
Former Warriors general manager Bob Myers, who initially acquired Durant for the Warriors in 2016 and had conversations with Durant before the trade deadline, offered a potential explanation for Durant's reluctance to return. 'Kevin could've gone anywhere in 2016 ... He went to the Warriors and he's the only person in the whole equation that took criticism for ,' Myers stated on ESPN. 'I didn't, Joe Lacob didn't, Steve Kerr didn't, Steph Curry didn't, Draymond Green didn't. Only Kevin was the one that faced scrutiny.' Myers believes Durant felt a disproportionate amount of pressure and criticism compared to his teammates during his tenure with the Warriors. Before joining Golden State, the lone achievement missing from Durant's illustrious resume was a championship victory. When he initially decided to become a Warrior, he faced significant backlash for 'taking the easy way out' to win a ring by joining a Warriors team that had already reached the last two NBA Finals and won one without him. Myers also shared that Durant expressed a strong desire to remain with his current team, the Phoenix Suns. '‘I don’t want to go anywhere,' Myers conveyed Durant's message. 'I don’t want to be traded.’' Myers expressed satisfaction that Golden State did not force a trade for Durant. 'I actually think the Warriors did the right thing by honoring Kevin's request,' Myers stated. While a reunion between Durant and Golden State would have generated significant media attention, the newly configured Warriors with Butler should be equally entertaining
NBA Kevin Durant Golden State Warriors Phoenix Suns Trade Deadline Bob Myers
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