The Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors are now in poor shape. Despite having a Big Three with Kevin Durant averaging 30.9 points per game on 52.1% FG, 47.3% 3-PT FG, and 87.1% FT, the Suns are 14-14. The Suns lack toughness and depth, ranking 16th in attack and 15th in defense, indicating their middle-of-the-road play. Without a doubt, it won’t be long until Durant grows dissatisfied with the franchise.

Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty is in jeopardy because they are only 15-14 and are always dealing with Draymond Green’s on-court antics. Green is the team’s leader, but he is facing an extended suspension after being ejected for swinging at Jusuf Nurkic. If the Warriors trade Draymond Green, it may create an opportunity for Durant to return to the Bay Area.

Durant famously constructed one of the best teams ever with the Warriors between 2017 and 2019, and if the Suns fail to win the championship or even make the NBA Finals this season, a reunion is a possibility. People in Phoenix appear to be feeling Kevin Durant’s displeasure, suggesting that the situation in Phoenix isn’t going as well as we expected.

If the Warriors do trade Draymond Green, who famously had a verbal fight with Durant, there are ten strong reasons why Kevin Durant will return to the Golden State Warriors.

1. Kevin Durant Benefits from a Team System

The Golden State Warriors have a team system that fits Kevin Durant’s style of play, with the inclusion of seasoned veterans like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, as well as young players like Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga. The emphasis on ball-sharing, equitable offensive engagement, and group leadership exhibited by Chris Paul’s inclusion contrasts sharply with setups that rely on a single offensive focal point.

This one-of-a-kind dynamic ensures that Durant can thrive in a system where doing the right thing and contributing collectively take precedence over an individual-centric approach, making a return to the Warriors an appealing proposition for the former two-time Finals MVP. Golden State is sixth in the NBA in assists per game, which might be a huge selling point for Durant, who is currently averaging 30.9 points per game for the Suns, who are 16th in assists.

2. Steve Kerr Is A Comprehensible Coach

Steve Kerr’s role as an emotional leader and skilled motivator makes him a perfect coach for Kevin Durant, a player noted for his sensitivity and need for support on occasion. Kerr’s understanding coaching style fosters an environment in which Durant may thrive without undue stress, which has been known to derail the player’s motivation.

Kerr’s demonstrated ability to control player dynamics ensures a pleasant team environment, making a reunion with Kerr an appealing component of Durant’s prospective return to the Golden State Warriors. Head coach Frank Vogel is a wonderful coach with a positive mentality, but he wants more on defense and may not be the emotional leader that Steve Kerr is. Kerr’s grasp of Durant’s personality may make this a fairly easy comeback.

Stephen Curry Is The Ideal Teammate

Stephen Curry’s exceptional teammate qualities make him the ideal partner for Kevin Durant: as the franchise’s face, Curry shares the spotlight selflessly, having previously welcomed Durant with open arms between 2017 and 2019, fostering a championship-winning environment characterized by mutual respect. On the court, Curry’s off-ball skills and exceptional floor-spacing ability effortlessly complement Durant’s game, forming a dynamic superstar combo that provides an unequaled challenge to opposing defenses.

This season, Stephen Curry is averaging 28.3 points per game while shooting 42.1% from three-point range, which means the court will be entirely open for Durant, who will have to carry the Suns at times. Curry’s upbeat and team-oriented demeanor both on and off the court confirms his standing as the ideal teammate for Durant’s prospective return to the Golden State Warriors.

4. Warriors Are a Fantastic Organization

The Golden State Warriors are a premier organization known for their constant winning culture, active player participation in decision-making, and nurturing team environment. With a commitment to excellence and a fervent fans, the Warriors give more than just basketball—they create an attractive stadium destination in San Francisco, making it an intriguing spot for Kevin Durant to play.

The Warriors’ track record of four titles in the last decade tells Durant that he is associating himself with an organization that is committed to winning. The Suns are a terrific franchise, but there have been management inconsistencies, largely due to prior owner Robert Sarver, and the position right now isn’t ideal in terms of cap room and building a top-heavy roster.

5. The Warriors Might Trade Draymond Green

Given the glaring differences in personality and playing style that previously led to a friction-filled on-court clash, the potential departure of Draymond Green may be a necessary move for a Kevin Durant comeback. Green’s temperament—temperamental, confrontational, and vocal—and Durant’s temperament—calm, stoic, and peace-oriented—suggest that their dynamic may impair team harmony.

By parting ways with Green, the Warriors may pave the way for Durant’s return and create a more peaceful environment focused on winning championships without the lurking prospect of another brawl, which may have rattled Durant more than he would want to acknowledge. A serene environment based on winning is just what the player requires right now, as he approaches the age of 36 within the next year.

Durant has only ever won in Golden State.

Kevin Durant’s championship success has been entirely related to his time with the Golden State Warriors, as he appeared in three consecutive Finals and won back-to-back crowns in 2017 and 2018. While he made the Finals once with the Thunder in 2012, falling to LeBron James and the Miami Heat, his championship pedigree stems primarily from his time in Golden State.

As Durant’s accolades, which include 13 All-Star selections, 10 All-NBA honors, and four scoring titles, solidify his greatness, a potential return to the Warriors could provide him with the opportunity to add more championship rings to his legacy, elevating his status among the all-time basketball greats. Durant’s legacy has suffered as a result of his failure to win in Golden State, but if he returns and wins again, skeptics will have to recognize that his resume ranks among the finest ever.

7. Warriors Nation Would Be Happy to Have Him Back

Kevin Durant’s return to the Golden State Warriors would likely be received with enormous enthusiasm from the Warriors’ ardent fanbase, media members, and the organization itself. Durant’s vital role in leading the team to consecutive championships in 2017 and 2018, earning both Finals MVP honors, cemented him as a key player during that golden era.

Regardless of any deck-stacking debates, Durant’s obvious effect on the court and commitment to winning championships will undoubtedly transcend any previous scandals. The collaborative focus on the ultimate aim of winning championships would create the ideal climate for Durant’s return, with a warm welcome and a united front centered on the pursuit of basketball excellence.

8. There is no longer any pressure to be a leading man.

Returning to the Golden State Warriors would relieve Kevin Durant of the strain of being the team’s leader, a role he has previously shown aversion to. With Stephen Curry firmly established as the franchise’s face and the organization providing a safe haven for its players, Durant could concentrate only on becoming a superstar basketball player on the court, free of the constraints of leadership, excessive pressure, or constant scrutiny.

The Warriors’ ensemble style, as evidenced by their successful 2017 and 2018 campaigns, presents a great environment for Durant to grow and contribute without the weight of added responsibilities.

9. Being Recognized For Saving The Dynasty

With Curry’s advancing age (nearly 36), Thompson’s shooting inconsistencies (under 40% shooting for the second time in his career), Green’s behavioral issues, Wiggins’ underperformance (12.3 PPG on 30.0% 3-PT FG), and the departure of GM Bob Meyers, Kevin Durant has a chance to be hailed as the franchise’s savior.

Durant, who has previously delivered two championships and two Finals MVPs, could theoretically manage a comeback, receiving extra credit for saving a team beset by internal discord and on-court obstacles. By returning and adding another title to the Warriors’ past, Durant’s narrative would flip from joining a 73-9 club to revitalizing a faltering franchise, thereby dramatically strengthening his legacy.

10. Other title contenders would be out of luck.

The possibility of stacking the deck in his favor once again, establishing a dominant force that may overwhelm other title hopefuls, is a strong argument for Kevin Durant to explore a return to the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors’ track record of annihilating the competition in 2017, 2018, and 2019, as well as their strong regular-season and postseason records, demonstrates their capacity to assemble a formidable club.

The Warriors won 67 games and went 16-1 in the playoffs with Durant in 2017 before capturing the championship. In 2018, they won 58 games, went 16-5 in the playoffs, and defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers to win their second championship. In 2019, the Warriors won 57 games, went 16-8 in the playoffs, and were defeated in the NBA Finals by the Kawhi Leonard-led Toronto Raptors.

Durant, who is notorious for joining star-studded teams, could lead a team capable of sweeping the Western Conference, with only the reigning champion Denver Nuggets offering a meaningful challenge. The Warriors have previously demonstrated their ability to defeat formidable opponents in the East, and current contenders such as the Bucks, 76ers, and Heat may lack the star power that Durant may bring to Golden State. A return to the Warriors would provide Durant the best chance of winning another title without the same level of competition.