NBA targets Dec. 22 start date for 2020-21 season

The Golden State Warriors believe they remain in the mix on a trade for Jimmy Butler, sources told The Athletic on Monday. This follows ESPN’s report on Sunday evening that it had been communicated to the Warriors that Butler was unwilling to sign an extension with the team should they trade for him.

Butler prefers a trade to the Phoenix Suns as they are the team most willing to meet his asking price on an extension. The Suns, however, are limited in their ways of trading for him unless they can find a team to trade for Bradley Beal while he also waives his no-trade clause.

The Warriors have also inquired with the Suns about the availability of Kevin Durant. Durant’s agent, Rich Kleiman, sat next to Joe Lacob at Friday’s game between the Warriors and Suns. They were seen conversing during the game, at halftime and postgame.

It is unclear how open Durant would be to a return to the Warriors, or if the Suns would entertain trading him during this transaction cycle.