Kevin Durant's known preference is to play for the Phoenix Suns or Miami Heat. But Deandre Ayton's offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers complicates a potential trade to the desert, and it's unclear if Miami has enough assets to entice the Brooklyn Nets in a prospective Durant trade without giving up Bam Adebayo. The market for the two-time Finals MVP reportedly isn't nearly as competitive as Brooklyn anticipated, either.

Enter the Golden State Warriors?

Owner Joe Lacob hinted last week he was against mortgaging the Warriors' future to bring Durant back to The Bay, and Stephen Curry recently made clear he “likes where we're at,” fully confident Golden State can win more titles going forward as currently constructed. Both Durant and his star former teammates are apparently open to the possibility of a reunion, though, even reportedly broaching the subject together shortly after the former's trade request.

Durant's return to the Warriors might be a long-shot, but that doesn't mean it's impossible. Chris Broussard of FOX Sports added fuel to that speculative fire on Thursday, noting a source told him Durant actually wants to be back in Golden State, away from the drama surrounding Kyrie Irving and the Nets.

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“Somebody texted me, a good source texted me at that point, that Kevin Durant doesn't want to play with Kyrie and he wants to go to Golden State…I haven't confirmed it with Kevin Durant or his agent, so I am strongly leaning toward not believing that. But is it an impossibility? No.”

Broussard's qualifications of his own reporting deserve stressing here. He's clearly not entirely confident Durant has his sights set on San Francisco. It also bears mentioning that Broussard isn't the most plugged-in or reliable league insider, either. Morning sports talk shows care much more about driving engagement than accuracy.

Still, file away another tidbit about Durant's interest in coming back to The Bay as the story of his trade request continues to unfold. One thing is clear regardless: The more teams like fall out of the running for Durant, the more likely it is he's wearing a Warriors jersey next season.