An anonymous NBA coach thinks Kevin Durant should stay with the Golden State Warriors while he rehabs his Achilles injury, according to Marc Stein of The New York Times.

Durant is most likely going to miss the entire 2019-20 season. This particular coach thinks life would be a lot easier and less stressful for Durant if he stays with the Warriors and leans on the assistance of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.

Article Continues Below
More Warriors News
Golden State Warriors center Quinten Post (21) reacts after making a three point basket against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first quarter at the Chase Center.
Warriors exercise team option on 40.8% 3-point breakout starJaren Kawada ·
LeBron James with the logos of every NBA team in the background.
Ranking 5 best LeBron James trade destinations after Rich Paul’s bombshell Lakers quotesBailey Bassett ·
warriors, warriors free agency, brook lopez, golden state warriors
1 sneaky good player golden state warriors must sign in 2025 NBA free agencyGarrett Kerman ·
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (2) reacts during the second half against the Indiana Pacers in game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
NBA rumors: Ty Jerome garnering interest from Warriors, according to Zach LoweZachary Weinberger ·
New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones (2) dribbles against Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson (1) during the second half at Smoothie King Center.
NBA rumors: Warriors linked to Herb Jones, Nickeil Alexander-WalkerTroy Finnegan ·
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) defends against Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) during the fourth quarter at Chase Center.
Warriors’ Draymond Green shares clear opinion on Kevin Durant’s trade to RocketsRichard Pereira ·

No one in the Bay Area knows quite what to think after Durant’s injury. It would presumably be easier, from a pure playing standpoint, for Durant to return to the Warriors and ease his way back after an injury that has been so difficult for others to rebound from.

As one smart N.B.A. coach suggested to me: Why not stay where he is and lean on the All-Star assistance of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green rather than go to the Knicks or Nets and launch a complicated comeback in a tabloid environment amid such high expectations? But that’s merely the safe instinct from outsiders like me and said coach. Durant is bound to have his own strong(er) thoughts on the subject and those are not yet known.

Durant has a player option worth $31.5 million for next season. It's doubtful the two-time Finals MVP will pick that up because by all accounts, the Warriors and every other team in the league will offer KD max dollars this offseason despite the Achilles tear.

If Durant stays with the Warriors, he can pretty much take the DeMarcus Cousins route. KD wouldn't have to rush his rehab and face the burden of expectations New York Knicks fans might throw his way if he decides to sign with the Knicks.