Nonetheless, there is a growing anticipation that Miami will go star hunting this summer. Kevin Durant is one of the most plausible trade targets. The veteran superstar is anticipated to become available as the Phoenix Suns seek to rebuild their lineup around Devin Booker.
However, Nick Wright of Fox Sports does not see the Heat as a plausible destination for Durant. The outspoken expert does not believe adding the great forward will be enough to put Miami back in contention.
“I don’t understand why Kevin Durant would have interest in Miami,” Wright remarked. “I understand it’s Miami, they have a history, and the weather is fantastic. Durant is, especially by NBA standards, extremely wealthy. He can travel wherever he wants. He has the ‘own your own plane’ money. This team would draw dead. Even if they keep Herro and Bam, that team will not win four rounds.
Durant, Tyler Herro, and Bam Adebayo are improbable championship contenders. However, with the appropriate supporting cast and Erik Spoelstra calling the shots, this roster would be difficult to beat.
Heat is among Durant’s preferred destinations.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Heat are one of a few teams on Durant’s shortlist of potential destinations if he is moved.
“One thing to keep in mind, back at the NBA Trade Deadline in February, Minnesota, Miami, New York, San Antonio, and Houston were among the teams, I’m told, there was mutual interest between Durant and those teams,” Charania added. “I expect those teams and potentially others to be back in the fray this summer.”
Miami does not have many trade assets. As a result, negotiating a deal for Durant could be challenging. It is conceivable that Kel’el Ware, Andrew Wiggins, and possibly Jaime Jaquez Jr.
All of this would have to be included in the sale, and even that might not be enough.
Heat face an uphill battle to fix their roster.
In an April 3 Bleacher Report article, Dan Favale stated that Miami faces a difficult task in retooling its existing lineup.
“Miami doesn’t have the freedom to rebuild, is light on tradeable firsts even after scooping up Golden State’s for this year, and cannot carve out meaningful cap space until at least 2026,” Favale said. “The Heat have minimal ability to shake things up, and the chances of major internal improvement fall primarily on Ware or Jaime Jaquez Jr. (to a lesser extent these days). This is not the league’s worst condition, but it is also not an enviable one.
Miami continually finds ways to improve its roster. They are a desired destination for free agents, have a strong draft, and are opportunistic in trades. Adding a talent like Durant might significantly improve the team’s prospects. However, if they do not sign another star, they will have to be inventive if they want to challenge at the top of the Eastern Conference next season.
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