In a stunning revelation, Draymond Green shared on Jimmy Kimmel Live that a blockbuster trade to bring Kevin Durant back to the Golden State Warriors was nearly finalized. The bombshell dropped during a Warriors charity poker tournament, coinciding with the news of Luka Doncic’s trade to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Green recounted a moment when Warriors majority owner Joe Lacob approached him with palpable excitement. “Joe goes, ‘Draymond, I think we’re going to get Kevin Durant. It’s right there at the finish line. It’s happening. We’re getting Kevin Durant back,’” Green recalled. Thrilled at the prospect, Green and Lacob discussed whether Durant’s return would work, to which Green enthusiastically replied, “Absolutely.” Moments later, Lacob returned, urging Green to keep quiet about the potential deal. “I wasn’t supposed to say anything. Don’t say nothing to nobody,” Lacob told him. Green assured he’d stay silent.
However, the night took a twist when Stephen Curry shouted to Green about a trade, leading to a humorous mix-up. “I go, ‘It happened?’ Steph goes, ‘Wait, who?’” Green said, realizing Curry was referring to Doncic’s trade, not Durant’s. The confusion highlighted the chaotic energy surrounding the Warriors’ trade pursuits.
Despite the near-deal, the trade fell through. Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro reported that the Phoenix Suns, Durant’s current team, fielded inquiries from multiple teams, including the Warriors. Ultimately, the Warriors pivoted, acquiring Jimmy Butler instead after Durant expressed reluctance to return to Golden State. According to ESPN, Durant told Curry he was content in Phoenix and felt it “didn’t feel right” to move, adding it “wasn’t the time” to switch teams. This sentiment was relayed to the Warriors’ front office, halting the trade.
Durant later clarified his stance in an interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, stating, “I never planned on leaving or moving or getting traded. I didn’t ask for a trade from Phoenix.” On The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis, Durant elaborated further, explaining that a mid-season move would disrupt both his career and the teams involved. “I want my career to end on my terms,” Durant said. “Me going to your team, it’s going to be a whole new era… My contract and just my production, me just getting up and moving in the middle of the season, it’s going to be a big blow to any team I’m going to.”
Durant, who played for the Warriors from 2016 to 2019, won two NBA championships and earned Finals MVP honors both times. Despite the allure of reuniting with Curry and Green, he prioritized stability in Phoenix, leaving fans to wonder what could have been.