Mavericks? Warriors? Kevin Durant on the Trade Block—A Frenzy About to Begin?

Three days ago, Luka Dončić was the future of the Mavericks, and Anthony Davis was the backbone of the Lakers. Fast forward to today, and Davis is sitting courtside in Dallas, while Dončić is holding up a Lakers jersey in Los Angeles. If someone had told me this a few days ago, I would have questioned their sanity.

With the shock of the Dončić-Davis trade sending ripples through the league, the NBA trade market has turned into absolute chaos. Teams are scrambling to make moves, and while some—like the Kings, Bulls, and Spurs—moved quickly to finalize a De'Aaron Fox-Zach LaVine trade, others, like the Heat, continue their drawn-out standoff with Jimmy Butler.

Now, the most unexpected twist yet has surfaced: Kevin Durant's name is circulating in trade rumors. Just yesterday, several insiders, including Shams Charania, reported that the Warriors have interest in bringing back KD. The Suns publicly shot down the idea, labeling Durant as a "non-tradable asset." However, behind the scenes, the story is very different.

Is Kevin Durant Really Available?

According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Suns are indeed quietly listening to trade offers for the 36-year-old superstar. Durant himself is reportedly aware of these discussions. While the Suns aren't actively shopping him, they are maintaining a high asking price—looking for draft capital and high-upside young players in return. One name that has surfaced as a potential target? Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga.

If this already sounds wild, buckle up—there’s more. Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix has reported that the Warriors are determined to reunite with Durant, while Forbes Sports journalist Evan Sidery pointed out an intriguing salary coincidence: KD’s $51.1 million annual salary perfectly matches the combined salaries of Andrew Wiggins, Kuminga, Gary Payton II, and Kevon Looney.

And it doesn’t stop there. According to The Athletic, multiple teams—including the Warriors, Mavericks, and Rockets—are closely monitoring Durant’s situation.

For the Warriors, the logic is clear. They’ve been searching for another superstar to complement Stephen Curry, and Durant would be a seamless fit, given his history with the team. For the Mavericks, the dream scenario is pairing Durant with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, forming an all-time great offensive trio. Meanwhile, the Rockets, despite initially steering away from older stars, have found themselves unexpectedly competitive this season, currently sitting in the top three of the Western Conference. A win-now move is now on the table.

The Blockbuster Three-Team Deal

One of the most fascinating reports comes from The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, who revealed that the Warriors, Heat, and Suns have discussed a massive three-team trade. In this scenario:

• Andrew Wiggins would be sent to the Heat.
• Jimmy Butler would land in Phoenix.
• Kevin Durant would return to Golden State.

To make this deal more enticing for the Suns, there’s also speculation that the Warriors might include Draymond Green, a player Phoenix has coveted for a long time. Green’s connection with Suns owner Mat Ishbia—both of whom attended Michigan State—adds an extra layer of intrigue to this potential deal.

Why Would the Suns Trade Durant?

On the surface, it seems absurd. Durant is still a top-10 player in the league, averaging elite numbers and maintaining his superstar status even at 36. His championship pedigree and ability to sell tickets make him an invaluable asset.

However, the Suns have reasons to consider a trade:

1. Underwhelming Performance – Phoenix is currently 25-24, sitting at 10th in the Western Conference. This is far from contender status, and the team hasn’t looked like a legitimate threat all season.
2. Timing the Market – Durant remains an elite player, but how much longer will his peak last? If Phoenix believes they aren’t winning a championship with this core, it may be wise to move him while his trade value is at its highest.

A month ago, this would have been unthinkable. But the Dončić-Davis trade has completely shattered expectations, showing that no star is untouchable. Now, with teams more aggressive than ever, the idea of Durant moving before the trade deadline suddenly seems possible.

A League in Madness

The NBA has officially entered chaos mode. If Dončić and Davis can be traded, why can’t Durant? This season’s trade deadline and the upcoming offseason could bring some of the most shocking moves in league history.

One thing is clear: Nothing is impossible anymore. The next few weeks could reshape the NBA as we know it. Buckle up.