Kevin Durant engaged in conversations with Stephen Curry regarding a potential return to the Golden State Warriors before ultimately opting to remain with the Phoenix Suns. This development emerged from reports by ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst, who indicated that the pair discussed the prospect of reuniting on February 1, coinciding with the Warriors being actively involved in discussions with the Suns about Durant's acquisition.

According to multiple sources familiar with the discussions, Durant conveyed to Curry that it didn't 'feel right' for him to revisit their former partnership at this time and expressed contentment with his current situation in Phoenix, asserting that he was not seeking to play for another team. Consequently, the Suns chose to retain Durant as the trade deadline approached.

In light of missing out on the 15-time All-Star, the Warriors swiftly changed their strategy, acquiring Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat as part of a substantial five-team trade. Following this acquisition, Golden State secured Butler with a new two-year contract extension worth $121 million, ensuring his presence with the team through the end of the 2026-27 season. Notably, initial discussions had included a scenario in which Butler would have relocated to Phoenix while Durant would have returned to Golden State, but Durant ultimately decided against rejoining the Warriors. Both he and Curry enjoyed remarkable success during their three-year tenure as teammates from the 2016-17 season to the 2018-19 season, leading the Warriors to three consecutive NBA Finals appearances and securing two championships before Durant's departure to the Brooklyn Nets in 2019.