Warriors Trade Rumors: Kevin Durant downplayed Dubs to James Harden

The Golden State Warriors could’ve crafted a trade for James Harden, but apparently, the superstar may not have wanted to go to the Bay Area.

James Harden is now in Brooklyn. It’s crazy to think the collapse that the Rockets had after losing to the Lakers in the bubble. That said, Harden requested a trade, and the Warriors “tried” to get involved.

It all started when Daryl Morey and Mike D’Antoni both left. The team then traded Russell Westbrook to Washington and brought in John Wall. They also signed DeMarcus Cousins this offseason to hopefully add some firepower.

Harden was clearly disengaged this season as he went from scoring over 30 points per game for three straight seasons.

Through the first several games this season, he was averaging under 25 points per game. It was obvious the change in culture and consistent playoff losing was getting to Harden and then the mass exodus forced him out.

Could the Warriors have gotten in the action? It seemed to be the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets that were at the forefront. The Warriors may have also had a say in the action in the preliminary talks.

On the Ryen Russillo show with ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan and The Ringer’s Bill Simmons, the trio tossed some bombs out regarding the Warriors.

It sounds like Durant told Harden that he wouldn’t want to play for Steve Kerr. MacMullan followed it up by noting that it may have been that Durant was never going to be like Stephen Curry their fanbase.

"Simmons: There was some Steve Kerr stuff.Russillo: Yeah, that you might not want to play for him. Which sounds insane that Durant could complain about anything with Golden State, but it sounds like he did.MacMullan: Well, but the only complaint that Kevin Durant had about Golden State was he wasn’t Steph Curry, and he never was gonna be Steph Curry in that market. And no matter what he did and how many championships they won, Steph Curry was still the guy."

There haven’t been many negatives about Kerr. He’s been at the forefront of social change and has seemingly been a solid advocate for his players. Now, the culture in the locker room could be a different story, but that feels unlikely.

If you remember, early in Durant’s last season in the Bay Area, he got into a scuffle following a loss with the Clippers. Durant and Green may not have always seen eye to eye and then include that Durant may not have the fondest memories with Green.

His beef with Kerr isn’t known, but Durant’s time in Golden State, while it went well to fans, may not have been his favorite place to play. It’s sad that it ended like that and that he may have an impact on where others go as well.

Nonetheless, the Warriors not trading for Harden seems like the best thing for their franchise.