Draymond Green of the Warriors might unexpectedly contribute to a Kevin Durant trade.

When Kevin Durant first signed with the Warriors back when he was a free agent in 2016, one of the key players in persuading him to join the already established powerhouse in the Bay Area was his friend, Draymond Green.

And when Durant left the Warriors after the 2019 NBA Finals, one of the key players in pushing him to the exits was, again, Draymond Green. Durant was, in the end, a friend of Green’s but did not care for Green’s confrontational style of leadership. The two butted heads repeatedly, and Durant wanted out.

Now, a little more than five years later, Green could again play a big role in Durant changing addresses. This time, it’s in a trade to bring Durant back to the Warriors. In what would count as a big surprise, the Suns–who currently employ Durant–would ask for Green in a return package for Durant.

That is according to a report from The Athletic. It’s worth noting that any trade involving Durant and the Warriors is likely to be complex, however.

But The Athletic writes, “League sources say four-time All-Star forward Draymond Green, who has an established relationship with fellow Michigan State alum and Suns owner Mat Ishbia, is among the Warriors players Phoenix is known to covet.”

It will take a lot to get Durant out of Phoenix. If the Suns hope to bring in Jimmy Butler from Miami as part of a massive, multi-team deal, then it would be difficult for them to also bring in Green.

Besides, after letting Klay Thompson walk in free agency last summer, the Warriors would have to be reluctant to give up Green, a franchise mainstay with star Stephen Curry throughout the team’s championship runs.

At 34, Green is a shadow of his former self, and the Warriors are eager to make an upgrade, but giving up a key part of the team’s identity would be a longshot for the Warriors.