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Warriors Could Trade Draymond Green In A Deal For Kevin Durant Or Jimmy Butler
Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images

As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the Golden State Warriors find themselves at a crossroads. With Stephen Curry still playing at an elite level, the Warriors are exploring blockbuster trade options to keep their championship window open. According to Brian Windhorst on ‘Get Up’, Golden State is actively discussing potential trades for superstars like Kevin Durant and Jimmy Butler.

"Jimmy Butler, Kevin Durant. I think everything's on the table... I think other than Steph Curry, everything's on the table." 

This suggests that Draymond Green, the heart and soul of the Warriors’ defense, could be on the move if it means bringing back a star-caliber player to pair with Curry.

Draymond Green, 33, signed a four-year, $100 million contract extension with the Warriors in 2023, which keeps him under contract until the 2026-27 season with a $27.5 million player option in the final year. 

But, his on-court struggles, off-court controversies, and declining impact on offense have made him a potential trade candidate.

One of the most intriguing trade possibilities involves Kevin Durant reuniting with the Warriors, the team where he won two NBA championships and two Finals MVPs from 2016-2019. Reports indicate that Golden State reached out to Phoenix about Durant’s availability. While the Suns initially declined, recent developments suggest they are now listening to offers for KD as they evaluate their long-term future.

Durant, 35, is in the third year of his four-year, $194 million contract, which runs through 2026-27, with an average salary of $48.5 million per year. Despite his age, he is still an elite scorer, averaging 26.9 points on 52.4% shooting this season.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler has reportedly been eyeing the Phoenix Suns as his preferred destination, but that hasn’t stopped the Warriors from expressing interest. Reports indicate that Butler has already blocked multiple trade attempts with other contenders, signaling that he has a strong preference for where he wants to play next.

Butler, 35, is currently in the third year of a four-year, $184 million contract, which runs through 2025-26, with a $52.4 million player option for 2025-26.

Butler’s tenure in Miami has been turbulent this season, and his relationship with the Heat front office has reportedly deteriorated. The Heat are actively looking for a trade, and with the Warriors in desperate need of another star to pair with Curry, Butler has emerged as a possible target.

But, there are concerns about Butler’s willingness to sign an extension. Given his age and contract situation, any team that trades for him must ensure he is committed long-term.

Even though the Golden State Warriors don’t necessarily need to part ways with Draymond Green to acquire either Kevin Durant or Jimmy Butler, a truly wild opportunity could arise—one where they have a chance to land both stars. In that scenario, including Green in the deal might become an essential piece of the puzzle.

The Warriors could land both Kevin Durant and Jimmy Butler in a blockbuster trade, but it would require Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Kevon Looney, Buddy Hield, Dennis Schroder, and multiple draft picks to be involved in a massive multi-team deal.

This move would completely reshape the NBA title picture. The Warriors would have three future Hall of Famers in Curry, Durant, and Butler, making them instant championship contenders once again.

The Suns would get a defensive anchor in Draymond Green and an emerging star in Kuminga, while the Heat would receive Wiggins, Looney, and Hield—three players who can help them remain competitive.

The Warriors are clearly not satisfied with their current roster and have explored nearly every available All-Star to improve their team. With just a few days left before the trade deadline, it remains to be seen whether they pull off a blockbuster deal or hold onto their championship core.

With the Western Conference as competitive as ever, Golden State has a critical decision to make—either they go all-in for another star or risk wasting the remaining years of Stephen Curry. If they can land both Kevin Durant and Jimmy Butler, it could be the biggest trade deadline move in NBA history.

This article first appeared on Fadeaway World and was syndicated with permission.

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