The Kevin Durant-Kyrie Irving duo seems to be crumbling quicker than anyone could have expected, opening a strange, unforeseen timeline in which KD could return to the Golden State Warriors.
Most of us could see the writing on the wall as soon as Durant and Irving teamed up in Brooklyn. Neither have a very good track record when it comes to sticking with one team and it should come as no surprise that after just 44 games together — Irving has one foot out of the door.
Irving has been toying with the idea of a sign-and-trade since the conclusion of the 2022 NBA season. Today, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported this:
ESPN Sources: If Kyrie Irving can’t reach an agreement to stay with Brooklyn, he has a list of teams he’d like them to consider on sign-and-trades, including Lakers, Clippers, Knicks, Heat, Mavs and 76ers. None of those teams have cap space to sign him without Nets’ help.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 23, 2022
As the dominoes fall, a report about Durant quickly followed:
Sources: Kevin Durant is monitoring the Brooklyn Nets’ situation and considering options with his future.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 23, 2022
This now opens the path for Kyrie Irving to proceed on finding a new home via opt-in and trade.
To be clear, nothing concrete has linked a KD reunion in the Bay. In fact, there are plenty of reasons that would override any optimism that the two-time Finals MVP could return and lift the Dubs to another stratosphere once again.
Would Kevin Durant welcome the idea of returning to the Golden State Warriors? Maybe. But the Dubs would probably choose to look the other way.
Most notably, cap space issues.
Durant is set to make $42 million dollars next season and an incredible $53 million in 2025-26, the final year of his contract.
Making space for Durant would mean devastating the Dubs’ championship core. This type of deal would take not only Andrew Wiggins but Draymond Green as well in order to make it work financially.
With this in mind, it feels near impossible for the Warriors to reasonably gut their roster, that just won a championship, in order to bring back a flakey 33-year-old.
It’s worth mentioning that Durant is still one of the best players in the league. He averaged 29.9 points on 51.8% shooting from the floor. His presence on the Dubs would undoubtedly make them the overwhelming favorites to repeat — but not at the cost it would take to acquire him.