Marc J. Spears made waves last weekend with his report that the Warriors have interest in trading for Kevin Durant. Durant reportedly requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets last week, but the notion that he’d actually return to the Bay had seemed like a pipe dream until Spears’ report.
So how serious is a potential reunion? Spears joined KNBR on Tuesday afternoon and provided more context regarding what he’s heard. He doesn’t think Durant to the Warriors is likely, but noted that KD has interest in a return, and that Bob Myers has called Brooklyn.
“Basically I was saying more than half the league has reached out to the Nets about Kevin Durant and the Warriors are one of them,” Spears told Papa & Crowley. “Which is a smart thing to do, I mean, you should do. That doesn’t mean anything is imminent, that doesn’t mean there’s any trade that they’ve talked about. Just the fact that there would be some interest in there, certainly raised some eyebrows here. Whether in excitement or like ‘nah.’
“A call is a call, and that’s what Bob Myers makes all the time. I think people shouldn’t put the cart in front of the horse, but there was a phone call.”
Spears also noted that were Durant to return, he would likely be welcomed with open arms. Golden State was careful to remain amicable with KD after he decided to depart in 2019, which is one of the reasons the book hasn’t been closed on a return.
“The Warriors did the right thing by not burning the bridge like the bridge was burnt in Oklahoma City. Lacob did something smart. He said, ‘hey, we’re going to retire his jersey one day.’ Bob Myers kept a positive relationship with him. Steph Curry, who again is the most important person in the group, kept a positive relationship with him, and they’re cool.
“If this were to magically happen, which I don’t think anything is imminent with Kevin Durant, but I think ultimately with each passing day, this is probably something that he would be more and more excited about.”
Marcus Thompson of The Athletic confirmed this week that Warriors players and Durant had casually discussed the notion of him returning, but also noted that actually executing a trade would be incredibly difficult.
Still, Spears believes the Warriors have the best potential package for the Nets.
“If you listened to what I said before I said ‘just keep an eye on the Warriors.’ I’m not saying it’s going to happen, but they got the best assets. They don’t have the best draft assets, but in terms of young talent, in terms of having an All-Star, future All-Star, potential players, that’s what the Nets are looking for. So if you’re getting a group of really talented young players, what do you need draft picks for. They’re better than draft picks.”
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