NBA Rumors: Warriors Have Consolation Prize If They Lose To Raptors

With the Toronto Raptors now surging to a 3-1 lead in the 2018-19 NBA Finals, calls for Kevin Durant to return have unsurprising surfaced. Unfortunately, that is a call only the Golden State Warriors and KD can make, entirely depending on how well he has recovered from the strained calf he suffered in the second round of the NBA playoffs against the Houston Rockets.

As things stand now, the Warriors have to find a way to get out of the big hole that they are in and head coach Steve Kerr needs more healthy bodies against the surging Raptors. Even worse, game 5 of the NBA Finals shifts to Toronto - meaning things are not going to get easier moving forward. Nevertheless, Kerr and the Warriors may be down but not out. They are not throwing in the towel and say that they will just take it one game at a time.

So the question now is will Kevin Durant play in game 5 set on Monday at the Scotiabank Arena. The answer to that remains up in the air, meaning Kerr and company will have to find other ways to stave off elimination against the hungry Raptors. And even if Toronto goes on to win its first NBA crown, another big question is the future of the former NBA MVP. Free agency is just around the corner and Durant has been linked to several teams such as the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets, NBC Sports reported.

If one is to factor in the performance of the Warriors, a win would give Durant all the reason to stay on since he is on a winning team. A loss could be detrimental, meaning the chances of KD leaving Dub City would be a likelihood. However, at least one person believes otherwise.

According to Stephen A. Smith, Durant could leave if Golden State goes on to successfully achieve a three-peat. If the Dubs lose, he is likely to stay in the Bay Area, ESPN reported. Somehow, the logic behind it may be twisted although Golden State's current predicament does somehow make a bit of sense. Could this be the reason why the Dubs are preserving Durant as they try to safeguard the 30-year-old from aggravating the injury? Or is Golden State purposely keeping him in cold storage to make sure he stays on as a Warrior?

These are some theories that NBA fans are likely thinking off even if they are not pretty thoughts. Regardless if he stays on or moves, making sure that Durant returns as healthy as possible is a must. That all lies on the advice of team doctors - meaning the second overall pick of the 2007 NBA Draft suiting up falls in their delicate hands.