The Warriors have the means to acquire Kevin Durant, but that doesn't mean a reunion is destined to happen.
According to The Athletic's Marcus Thompson, Golden State's stars would embrace Durant if there was a reunion and have even been in conversations with the 12-time All-Star, discussing mostly the "stunning nature" of a trade even being a possibility.
Thompson adds that they're not pushing the front office to pursue Durant and a reunion, while possible, is "highly unlikely."
The idea of them playing together again had to seem impossible when Durant left in free agency in 2019. It isn’t lost on them how life has contrived an opportunity for them to come full circle. They see it, like everyone else, and talked about it, like everyone else.
This isn’t a case where the Warriors stars are pressing the front office to go acquire Durant. Sources made it clear they are fine defending their title with Wiggins, Poole and the young players they’ve been grooming to win with them. But if the universe somehow sets it up so legends reunite, they’d be open to it.
On June 30, news broke that Durant requested a trade from the Nets. He joined the franchise in 2019 after three seasons with the Warriors, which resulted in him winning two championships and two Finals MVP awards.
Two teams said to be on Durant's wishlist are the Suns and Heat.
MORE: Why Kevin Durant left Warriors for Nets
Could the Warriors trade for Kevin Durant?
In theory, yes. Not only that, but the Warriors could put together quite a package for Durant without touching their core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.
With Durant on the books for $44.1 million next season, the Warriors would need to include Andrew Wiggins to have a shot at matching Durant's salary. They could then sweeten the deal with some combination of James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and Jordan Poole, plus draft picks.
The Warriors have full control of all but one of their future first-round picks.
One obstacle Golden State would face in a Durant trade is Brooklyn cannot acquire Wiggins if Ben Simmons is still on its roster. Why? Because teams aren't allowed to have two players on a designated rookie extension.
