Kevin Durant’s Main Reason For Not Wanting to Join Golden State Warriors, According to Ex-NBA Player

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Nathaniel Holloway | Last updated Feb 13, 2025 2:00 PM ET

While the NBA trade deadline has passed, there is still speculation on what the Phoenix Suns may do in the offseason regarding their big three.

Of course, the Suns were actively searching for a trade suitor for Bradley Beal, but they were unable to find one. They also surprisingly listened to offers for their superstar forward Kevin Durant, which shocked many around the NBA including Durant himself.

While the Suns elected to keep Durant, there were reportedly multiple teams who called the Suns trying to acquire the superstar forward. One of those teams was the Golden State Warriors, who Durant previously played for and won two championships with.

Despite the interest of the Warriors, it was reported that Durant was not interested in returning to Golden State, and former Warriors’ champion Matt Barnes recently gave his thoughts on why Durant would not want to reunite with the Warriors.

“I looked at it as there could still be some hard feelings over there,” Barnes said on the KG Certified podcast regarding Durant not wanting to reunite with Golden State. “Whether it be the fans or be the organization or whether it be Draymond (Green) or someone. If we’re thinking big picture, KD back in Golden State gives them a chance.”

Of course, Durant spent four seasons with the Warriors, leading them to two titles alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Green, and it may have been three if he had not suffered an Achilles injury during the 2019 NBA Finals. That injury also kept him out for the entire 2019-20 season, which was his last in Golden State after he elected to sign with the Brooklyn Nets.

There was a lot of speculation about why Durant would leave the Warriors, but the main reason was Green like Barnes said. Green and Durant did not get along very well at the end of his time with the Warriors, which could have been the main reason that he not only left Golden State for Brooklyn, but also the reason why he did not want to return there this season.

Despite this, Durant could still change his mind and find his way back with the Warriors in the offseason as he and the Suns may be heading their separate ways.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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