For months, rumors swirled about Jimmy Butler’s next destination after his suspension in Miami. Many believed the former Heat star was bound for the Phoenix Suns, where he would have formed a formidable trio alongside Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. However, just one day before the trade deadline, the Golden State Warriors swooped in and secured Butler in a high-profile deal.
Before finalizing the Butler trade, reports suggested the Warriors had explored the possibility of reuniting with Durant. However, he made it clear that he had no interest in returning to Golden State. ESPN’s Shams Charania reinforced this by reporting that the Suns remained fully committed to building around Durant and Booker.
“And now if you’re the Phoenix Suns, obviously, even if you engaged in some level of conversation, they have always wanted to position this team around Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, and all signs indicate that Kevin Durant will remain a Phoenix Sun,” Charania said.
"[The Suns] have always wanted to position this team around Kevin Durant and Devin Booker and all signs indicate that [KD] will remain a Phoenix Sun."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 6, 2025
Shams Charania on where the Suns go from here with Jimmy Butler being traded to the Warriors.pic.twitter.com/j0XhXI1e2l
Following the Butler trade, The Athletic’s Anthony Slater and Sam Amick confirmed that the Warriors had officially moved on from their pursuit of Durant. While some fans had hoped for a reunion, Durant’s reluctance to return and Phoenix’s firm commitment to him left Golden State shifting its focus to Butler.
Chris Haynes Shuts Down Kevin Durant Trade Rumors
NBA insider Chris Haynes also made it clear that the Phoenix Suns have no plans to move their star forward. Speaking on NBA TV, Haynes dismissed the trade rumors, stating that Durant and teammate Bradley Beal are staying put.
“So what you’re saying right now, because Kevin Durant’s name has been floating around and you’ve talked about him in a couple scenarios, Kevin Durant’s not going anywhere. Doesn’t look that way. Kevin Durant’s not going anywhere, and Bradley Beal for sure is not going anywhere,” Haynes said.
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Durant is in his third year with the Phoenix Suns, and despite the team’s ups and downs, he has continued to perform at an elite level. This season, Durant is averaging 26.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game in 39 appearances.
