Durant has a chance to return to the Warriors

According to US sports media F/W reporter Vishvisha Kumar. Durant’s return to the Golden State Warriors at the 2025 trade deadline is a dramatic twist that could rewrite NBA history again. But one key figure reportedly changed everything: Warriors head coach Cole. According to The Ringer’s Logan Murdoch, Durant’s reluctance to reunite with his two championships has little to do with Green, who is often accused of the initial breakup and more related to long-term tensions with Cole.

"Durant's departure from the Bay Area is arguably more about his problem with Cole than any yelling game with Green. Durant complained about Cole's offensive principles many times in his final season with the Warriors, and he continued to do so even after he left Brooklyn. The two later settled, but league sources pointed out that Cole was one of the reasons Durant chose not to return to Golden State on the trade deadline."

This bombshell detail provides a new perspective on why the three-team deal involving the Suns, the Warriors and the Heat ended up failing, which would have sent Butler to the Suns and Durant back to the Bay. All teams reportedly participated in the program. The Warriors are ready to welcome Durant's return. The Suns will get a tougher player on Butler. Miami will turn to reorganizing its aging core. Logistics are consistent. The timing is right. But Durant said no.

It's not the roster that scares him away, the Golden State Warriors still have Curry and the revamped core, ready to run again. This is not a betrayal; Durant has always admired the Bay Area. Not Green; the two have long gone through the notorious 2018 quarrel. Sources said Durant never fully embraced Cole's reading and reaction offensive system, which emphasizes ball movement and equal chances scores, in stark contrast to Durant's preference for direct isolation and misalignment utilization.

When he first came to Golden State in 2016, Durant fits like a glove because he has an unparalleled talent. But the deeper he goes into the system, the more he feels restricted. Even though he won two Finals MVPs and three Finals appearances, KD often suggests that sometimes subtle and sometimes public, the style doesn’t show his full skill. This frustration boiled in his final season, resulting in a calmer tension with Cole, which most people didn’t see at the time. Although the two reportedly settled after Durant traveled to Brooklyn, league insiders said the scars were still so deep that he could not imagine a while later under Cole's command.

Instead, Durant blocked the deal, effectively rushing the Suns and the Warriors. The Warriors turned around and signed Butler, while the Suns eventually traded Durant to the Houston Rockets in an amazing offseason. Now, the Warriors are heading with Butler and Curry. Meanwhile, Durant will start a new chapter in Houston, he is still elite and still dangerous, but maybe he is still looking for a suitable basketball home.