Golden State Warriors named a top landing spot if Phoenix Suns trade Kevin Durant

After flaming out in the first round of the NBA playoffs, it could be a summer of change for the Phoenix Suns. Bradley Beal is seemingly stuck in the desert, but Devin Booker may find himself elsewhere. Ditto for Kevin Durant.

Although KD just landed with his fourth franchise at the 2023 trade deadline, the 10-time All-NBA forward could be on the move again, whether it’s on his terms or Phoenix’s. The Suns never found any level of consistency this season and fell far short of their championship expectations. A wing-heavy roster featuring a trio of natural scorers didn’t mesh well without a true point guard to lead it.

Despite the talent Durant, Booker and Beal possess, it seems like Phoenix may have already reached its ceiling as currently constructed.

Either the franchise decides to try again next year while making some minor, league-minimum-style changes on the fringes or team owner Mat Ishbia gives the go-ahead to make another splash less than 13 months after acquiring Durant from Brooklyn in exchange for a massive package that included four future first-round picks and Mikal Bridges.

If the Suns or Durant decide the best option is for one to move on without the other, a reunion with the franchise KD won two championships with could be a logical move.

Golden State Warriors named as a ‘best fit’ if Phoenix Suns trade Kevin Durant

Durant had his most successful stint as a pro playing alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. It wasn’t always smooth sailing, but that quartet formed the core of one of the best teams of the 20th century.

The 35-year-old controversially joined a team that won 73 games in the regular season and fell one win short of its second consecutive NBA championship. Those Golden State Warriors made the NBA finals three straight seasons with Durant as the centerpiece, winning two titles.

With he, Curry and Green at the tail end of their careers and Thompson’s return to Golden State in question, maybe the time is right for Durant to rejoin the franchise and give everyone involved a final shot at a title.

In a piece detailing the best and worst landing spots for big-name NBA trade targets, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley has the Warriors down as KD’s best fit:

If the Suns’ sweep out of the opening round convinces Durant to look for the exits, he should seriously consider looking for a way back to the Bay Area. No, he isn’t the same and neither are the Warriors since they first joined forces in 2016 … but they could still be perfect for one another.

Durant could be on the search for new digs with Phoenix not good enough to contend and virtually incapable of changing. Golden State has more flexibility and upside, not to mention an offensive system that has already fit him like a tailored suit.

The Suns’ lack of success in 2023-24 wasn’t a product of a dip in Durant’s production. Even in his 17th season, he posted averages of 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.2 blocks with shooting splits of 52/41/86. He played in 75 games and averaged more than 37 minutes a night.

KD is still an elite player. So is Booker. If that duo had a more balanced surrounding cast, Phoenix would head into next season as title contenders again; but that isn’t the case.

Curry is still an elite player, and the Warriors do have a more balanced supporting cast, even when considering what they would have to give up to bring Durant back to the Bay. Steph and Kevin Durant joining forces for one last ride would give both of them their best shot at winning one more championship.

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