Golden State was where KD truly thrived in his career, winning two NBA titles and two Finals MVP trophies.
Kevin Durant’s career hasn’t been the same since he left the Golden State Warriors. After tearing his Achilles tendon in the 2019 NBA Finals, the “Slim Reaper” signed with the Brooklyn Nets, eventually forming an incredible “Big 3” with another former league MVP in James Harden and All-Star Kyrie Irving.
However, his tenure with the Nets failed to bear fruit, and in February 2023, the former Texas Longhorn was traded to the Phoenix Suns to team up with Devin Booker and, later on, another All-Star in Bradley Beal. On paper, the Suns were poised to contend for a title, but with a mismatched roster, no legitimate point guard, and proven defenders, KD and the Suns were swept in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
As the Suns’ front office picks up the pieces from their shattered season, questions regarding KD’s future have bubbled up. The four-time scoring champ would be 36 years old when the next season tips off, and while he’s proven to be capable of still carrying a team on his back, it’s obvious that the Suns do not have the right pieces to break into the league’s elite.
Stephen Jackson, a former NBA champion who has thrived as a podcaster, recently proposed an idea that the 14-time All-Star should seriously consider: going back to Golden State.
Wrap his career up in Golden State
Durant received a lot of hate for leaving the team that drafted him, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and signing with the mighty Golden State Warriors. However, the results evidently show he made the best decision for his career, as he won back-to-back titles and Finals MVPs there. Additionally, one can argue that it was with the Warriors that KD showcased his complete game, averaging 25.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and a career-high 1.5 blocks per game.
Father Time is undefeated, and with the clock ticking on what remains of Kevin’s career, S-Jax said it would be best for the gifted scorer to try to return to the Warriors.
“Go on, go back and finish your time in Golden State, bro,” Jackson said on All The Smoke Unplugged.
With KD signed for two more seasons, getting him back in a Warriors jersey will take a trade. For this, co-host Matt Barnes proposed sending Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins to Phoenix for KD. However, Jackson railed against this, saying the Warriors should keep their core together for one last run. Instead, the Dubs can probably send center Kevon Looney.
“You still can keep Klay, Wiggins. Wiggins making a hundred, and you can throw somebody else in there. Throw Looney in there, man,” Jackson shared.
Mend fences with Draymond
KD and the Warriors’ do-it-all forward Draymond Green remain friends, but their relationship was strained by an on-court argument in November 2018 during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers. However, if Kevin is to return to Golden State, he and the former Defensive Player of the Year must resolve their issues to end their careers on high notes.
“I even think to keep Draymond. I think they would be able to put the shit aside because they both know, ‘Hey, we need each other to get this shit done. We got one more run.’ So, you got KD, Steph, Dre, and then build some role players around them and have one last run,” Barnes shared.
Despite being signed for two more seasons in Phoenix, speculations regarding KD’s future are getting loud. Will he stay in Phoenix or demand another trade? Everything is possible with Durant, judged by his recent history.
