If the Phoenix Suns decide to trade Kevin Durant, the future Hall of Famer would prefer it to happen during the offseason. Durant provided insights into why he declined the chance to return to the Golden State Warriors prior to the trade deadline, suggesting it was unrelated to his past with the team.

“As far as the Warriors, I didn’t want to move,” Durant explained on the Draymond Green Show. “Then, as a player, I cost a lot. Me going into your team in the middle of your season, it’s going to be a big blow to any team I’m going to. And I get why you want to trade me, simple fact that’s business but for me looking at it, it just don’t make sense for either side right now to go through that when we can play the season out and if that’s the decision you want to make in the offseason, then we figure it out.

“If I can stop it, then why not?”

In the week leading up to the February 6 deadline, there were strong rumors about the Warriors’ interest in reacquiring Durant. However, once he became aware of the potential trade, he communicated to his former teammate that it “didn’t feel right” and “wasn’t time” for a return to Golden State, as reported by ESPN.

Durant noted that acquiring him likely would have demanded significant compensation from the Warriors. When the Suns obtained Durant during the 2022-23 season, they ceded talented forwards Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and Jae Crowder, along with four unprotected first-round picks and a first-round pick swap.

While it’s unknown what the Warriors contemplated in terms of compensation, internal discussions about possibly trading Draymond Green for Durant were reported. After Durant rejected the trade possibility, the Warriors redirected their focus to Jimmy Butler, acquiring him from the Miami Heat in exchange for Wiggins, Anderson, Schroder, and a protected first-round pick. Given Durant’s stature as the league’s sixth-leading scorer (averaging 26.9 points per game) at the time, it seems a trade would have required even more.

The Warriors’ choice to go after Butler has thus far proven effective, as Golden State has a 6-1 record in its recent games, propelling them up the Western Conference standings as they attempt to secure a playoff spot without entering the play-in tournament.

Reflecting on the Warriors’ success with Butler at a lower cost, Durant elaborated:

“I didn’t feel like it was a need to make that big of a change. Look at what y’all doing now, Dray. Y’all looking good with Jimmy and you still got Jonathan Kuminga on the way back. So, I didn’t think it made sense. I just wanna see it through.

“I’m trying to see this through to the end and see what we can really do. I feel like I’m committed to my coaches and teammates.”

Despite Durant’s impressive season earning an All-NBA candidacy, the Suns currently struggle for a playoff position, winning only two of their last ten games, leaving them at 27-31 and trailing the Dallas Mavericks by 2.5 games for the final play-in spot as of the last update.

Durant, 36, has one year remaining on his contract after this season. Considering his age, contractual status, and the Suns’ current standings, it’s plausible that Phoenix may consider moving him during the offseason.

If that occurs, Durant has a singular hope:

“I want my career to end on my terms. That’s the only thing. That’s the only thing I’m worried about.”