Report: Warriors focused on Butler with Durant not interested
The Golden State Warriors' interest in reuniting with Kevin Durant isn't mutual.
The Phoenix Suns superstar has no desire to return to the Warriors in a possible trade, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
In response, the Warriors are now shifting their focus to acquire Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Golden State reportedly focused its sights on Durant in recent days as the team hopes to bring in another All-Star-caliber player alongside Stephen Curry. The Warriors apparently also spoke to the Heat about Butler and checked in with the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers about LeBron James and Paul George, respectively.
The expiring contract of Warriors guard Dennis Schroder is a central element of a potential Butler trade, Stein adds.
Phoenix is also reportedly trying to swing a deal for Butler by Thursday's 3 p.m. ET deadline. However, Suns guard Bradley Beal, whose $50.2-million salary would seamlessly match Butler's $48.8 million in a swap, has opted not to waive his no-trade clause, leading Phoenix to pivot.
The Suns have fielded calls from multiple teams due to their 25-24 record, Charania reports.
Durant won back-to-back titles and reached three consecutive Finals during a three-year stint in the Bay Area from 2016-19.
His infamous 2016 decision to sign with the Warriors in his prime after nine seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder (including his rookie campaign with the Seattle SuperSonics) drew widespread criticism, as Golden State was coming off an NBA-record 73-win season.
The combination of Durant, Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green propelled the Warriors to a league-best 67-15 regular-season record and a near-perfect 16-1 postseason mark in their first year; after sweeping the Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz, and San Antonio Spurs in the 2017 playoffs, they went up 3-0 against James' Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals but dropped Game 4 on the road before winning Game 5 at home.