Suns predicted to cut ties with 15-time All-Star in trade to Warriors

The Golden State Warriors have no choice but to pursue a massive acquisition this summer.

The Warriors did well to snag Jimmy Butler before the 2024 NBA trade deadline, but the postseason showed that Golden State still needs more, and time is running out.

Butler, Stephen Curry, and Draymond Green are all north of 35 years old. And while Curry is still playing at a high level and doesn’t rely heavily on athleticism to dominate, the Warriors as a group are still one piece away from truly contending over the next 12 to 24 months, presumably the final phase of the Curry era in Golden State.

This predicament led Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley to rekindle an oft-discussed blockbuster trade idea for the Warriors on Thursday.

“A healthy Curry still seems capable of leading a championship run, and Jimmy Butler fit this group like a tailored suit,” Buckley wrote.

“With their two stars still capable of winning at a high level … Golden State could operate with a sense of urgency to upgrade the roster around them.”

“On that end, ESPN's Shams Charania reported the Warriors will be "incredibly aggressive in the marketplace" to find the missing pieces of their championship formula."

"Could that propel Golden State toward making another run at Kevin Durant?”

Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp

Durant was reportedly against a trade to Golden State before the 2024 deadline, but KD could change his mind, as noted by Buckley.

“Maybe the Dubs weren't Durant's preferred choice (at the deadline), but that might change this summer. The Phoenix Suns seem stuck, and Durant's trade market looks a little murky … he'll be 37 before next season tips and doesn't have the cleanest injury history. It'll take a specific kind of suitor to want what he brings, afford him in a trade and also believe it will have enough left over to contend for a title with him already next season.”

“The Warriors potentially check all of those boxes—assuming, of course, the Suns would be interested in their draft picks, pick swaps, young players (like Moses Moody or Brandin Podziemski) and a Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade.”

Buckley's idea is intriguing.

The problem for the Warriors is that if and when Durant hits the market, Phoenix might receive better offers than a package of Kuminga, Podziemski, and picks. 

It might require KD orchestrating a move specifically to his old home in Golden State for a reunion to happen, but that’s not impossible.

More NBA: Warriors could surprisingly cut ties with 4-time All-Star in trade to Lakers