Stephen Curry will turn 37 during the 2024-25 NBA season, which may prompt the Golden State Warriors to go all out this offseason to maximize their championship window. According to Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report, they would do exactly that, sending Jonathan Kuminga and other players to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Kevin Durant.
The Suns would acquire Kuminga, Andrew Wiggins, Kevon Looney, and a 2025 first-round pick.
“The Warriors, long among the leaders in skyrocketing payroll figures, actually have more flexibility than the Suns, who are currently being strangled by the second apron,” Hughes said in his June 11 article exploring NBA trade alternatives. “What’s more, the Dubs may have greater win-now pressure than Phoenix due to the two years remaining on franchise icon Stephen Curry’s deal.
“This deal would give the Suns immediate three-and-D help from Wiggins, a cheaper alternative to Jusuf Nurkić at center, a potential star in Kuminga, cash savings and actual draft equity—all for a player entering his age-36 season.”
Kevin Durant and Draymond Green have an interesting relationship.
Durant and Draymond Green had an altercation while Durant was on the Golden State Warriors from 2016 to 2019. Durant even stated in 2019 that a fight with Green was one of many factors that caused him to depart the Warriors for the Brooklyn Nets in free agency, according to ESPN’s Malika Andrews.
“I mean, your teammate talked to you that way, you think about it a bit,” Durant replied. “But … we talked about it, but definitely [it was a factor], for sure, I’m not going to lie about it.”
On an episode of “7 PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony,” Green stated that “he’s one of the best we’ve ever seen,” implying that things between the two are improving.
“I respect KD as a basketball player,” Green remarked in March. “He’s one of the best we’ve ever seen, and that’s pretty much where it stands. I have no ill will. I truly have nothing but affection for KD. But love is love. You understand what I am saying, my love? Like, if I love you, it never fades. … If I love you, I also love K. That’s not going anywhere. Do you understand what I am saying?
Durant remains one of the best scorers in the NBA.
Despite being 35 years old, the 2013-14 Most Valuable Player remains one of the NBA’s top scorers. Durant averaged 27.1 points in 2023-24, playing the most games he has in a season since leaving the Golden State Warriors, and shot 52.3% from the field and 41.3% from three-point range on 5.4 attempts per game.
Although Curry and Durant are older, they remain one of the most dynamic duos in the NBA. Even at this point in their careers, they pique a defense’s interest. This might enable both of them put up large scoring numbers and enhance the Warriors’ offense, which had the ninth-best offensive rating in the NBA last season.
Moving Kuminga would be costly in the short and long term, but signing Durant could help the Warriors win a championship next season. If they want to capitalize on Curry’s continued elite play, this may be a move that helps them win their fifth championship since 2015.
