(Photo via Getty Images)
The KD sweepstakes have been escalating as the days go by, with Miami Heat-Kevin Durant talks continuing to gain traction. To begin the weekend, it was reported that the Phoenix Suns have been in serious conversations with three finalists of trade partners— the Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets and the Heat.
Shams Charania also iterated in his report that these trade negotiations are rapidly progressing. He is expecting a deal to go down “sooner rather than later.”
However, Durant himself has now added another layer to the trending trade drama. He did this by providing a list of his preferred destinations out of Phoenix. The interest from Miami to acquire Durant have led their way on that list of mutual interest between the 15-time All-Star and future Hall of Famer.
“The Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets are 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant’s preferred trade destinations out of Phoenix, sources tell ESPN. Those across the NBA have been made aware in recent days that those are the three teams that Durant would commit to long-term.”
“Durant is on an expiring $54.7 million deal for 2025-26, and the Suns have made clear to six-to-eight seriously interested teams that they will make the best deal for the franchise – even outside of his preferred list of Miami, San Antonio and Houston.”
— Shams Charania
The list of these preferred destinations is crucial for the trade market. This essentially signals to teams outside of that list, that they would have to risk giving up assets. It would be a significant risk for a potential one-year KD rental. His expiring salary puts the star in a position to test free agency elsewhere next summer if he doesn’t sign an extension with whatever team trades for him.
It was no secret that KD is open to taking his talents to South Beach again.
Each side has repeatedly circled back on each other starting all the way back in 2016. Durant was impressed with coach Erik Spoelstra’s recruiting pitch in a meeting at the Hamptons. This was before ultimately making his league-altering move to join the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty.
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Durant also had the Heat as a preferred destination along with Phoenix on two separate occasions when he departed from the Brooklyn Nets. Lastly, Miami attempted to land the superstar in a Jimmy Butler trade at this year’s deadline. This will be (at least) the third or fourth time that the Heat have pursued Durant.
The current trade discussions on Miami’s end seem to be stuck at Kel’el Ware. The Heat front office is reluctant to include their All-Rookie second team big man in negotiations.
The concern is despite Durant’s greatness, it would be a three-four year window with the aging star. Ware, at still just 21 years old, provides a potentially 10-15 years of budding raw talent. He has also looked like a nice complement next to Bam Adebayo in the frontcourt early on.
It’s still a legitimate possibility that the Heat’s remaining assets is enough to get a deal done without dangling Ware. But Phoenix’s persistence will be the leading factor in what they ultimately settle on to move the disgruntled Durant to South Beach.
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Desperate people do desperate things. The problem is Riley wouldn’t be risking his future. He would be risking the teams. If KD gets seriously hurt what is Plan B? Find another team to root for while Miami tries to recover from the trade during the rest of Bam’s prime years? Asking for a friend.
I will definitely consider watching Heat games and follow Heat if KD is in Miami. I lurked occasionally on Suns site… you wont find more desperate bunch of fans except maybe in Dallas.
They sold out their future for KD (and Beal), and then they watched two seasons of terrible, boring and unsuccessful basketball. True, it was the Beal as the main disappointment, but as I understand general feeling, KD was their best player, but he makes team worse.
I m sure having him in Miami will make last three Butlers regular seasons a pleasant memory.
I have no nerves for something like that.
First off, apologies to my fiend Oregoner, who was right about proposing this trade possibility. The Wolves are apparently off Durant’s list so this trade is now viable. And Houston and San Antone may not even want him so now there is a real possibility of him coming. I would, and this is where I am sure some disagree, trade Ware in the package for him. We don’t know what Ware will evolve into but comparisons with Lively seem apt. He may become more but he may not. Just don’t trade Bam if getting Durant or there is no point in getting him. Trade Herro and augment with what you get back, packaging him with others. Have to trade Dunc too and maybe Rozier. If you got another older former star player, like a DeRozan, we could be competitive. But, if getting Durant, have to trade some other players or we still don’t have enough. Go all in or don’t mortgage the future as three number ones are likely to go the other way. Maybe we would be Durant, Bam, DeRozan, Mitchell, Wiggins, and who knows what else. That is a competitive core. Let Pat have his last hurrah.