The Miami Heat have not had a good trade market history in recent years. They received a steal of a deal in 2019 when they acquired Jimmy Butler from the Sixers for the low, low cost of Josh Richardson, Hassan Whiteside, and a first-round selection, but their record has been marred by missed opportunities in the years after. Kyle Lowry received an overpayment. Victor Oladipo received an overpayment. Terry Rozier received an overpayment.
And there were draft pick freebies to entice other clubs to take on the Heat’s mistakes—four second-round picks and two first-round picks, to be exact. So, when rumour spreads that the Heat are (once again) looking to make a trade to improve their squad, it’s wise to be suspicious.
Nonetheless, the Miami Herald states, “According to three people who have had contact with the Heat, Miami wants to maintain flexibility with that space in case an opportunity to add a high-level player becomes available.”
When it comes to the Heat, the first name that comes to mind as a prospective trade target is the one they’ve been pursuing for more than two years: star forward Kevin Durant, who has not said that he wants to leave the Phoenix Suns but is still rumoured to do so.
Kevin Durant is still considered a “favourite” if he enters the NBA trade market. The Suns have officially stated that they want to keep Durant and build on the team’s improvement from last season, when Bradley Beal joined Durant and guard Devin Booker. However, as long as there is conjecture that Durant’s alliance with the Suns will fail, so will his potential connection to the Heat.
Early in the winter, shortly after the Suns were eliminated from the playoffs by the Timberwolves, NBA executives recognized that Durant may be traded. At that point, all eyes were focused on Miami.
“There are a few teams that should come up,” a Western Conference executive told Heavy Sports about prospective Durant trade partners at the time. “The Heat would be a favourite.”
Except for Suns owner Mat Ishbia’s outspoken opposition to selling Durant, little has changed. He has also stated that Booker will not be traded, though the Heat would undoubtedly be interested in him if he became available.
However, Durant is more attainable, if only because he is 35 and in the third year of a four-year, $194 million deal extension. The West executive was asked again (by text) if he expected the Heat to go all-in for Durant if the Suns changed their mind about dealing him. “Absolutely,” he replied.
Heat Would Have to Deal Tyler Herro, Picks, and More.
As a result, if the Suns decide to deal Durant, the Heat will remain the favourite to acquire him.
A deal centred around Tyler Herro, draft picks, and one or two young players (Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jacquez Jr.) is likely required to land Durant, who, despite his age, averaged 27.1 points on 50% shooting last season. He stands 6-foot-11 and can play all three wing positions while also providing switchability on defence.
He has been difficult to get along with at his recent NBA stops, and if he leaves Phoenix, it will be his fifth franchise. However, he would be joining the Miami Heat, where Jimmy Butler is the obvious leader and Erik Spoelstra is a powerful coach.
Durant would presumably fall in line in Miami.
According to the Miami Herald, the organization is retaining an open roster spot in case a talent like Durant becomes available for trade.
In explaining the Heat’s lack of action this summer, reporters Anthony Chiang and Barry Jackson wrote: “There have been Heat trade discussions with teams – including one with significant cap space – but further details are unclear.” According to one of the sources, Miami is also interested in seeing what good players become available in the trade market over the next several weeks.
“So, any holding pattern is the result of preferring to keep choices open in order to pursue something worthwhile, not a reluctance to spend. Such an opportunity may take a few days or several weeks to emerge.”
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