ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported Saturday that Durant’s three preferred destinations are the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets, who finished last season as the No. 2 seed in the West. While a deal is expected to get done ahead of the June 25 NBA Draft, the Suns are still attempting to find the best possible deal for Durant, who’s looking for a two-year extension with his new team.
Miami fans are already buzzing over the possibility, but patience is key when navigating high-stakes negotiations like this one—just like it is when exploring regulated gaming platforms. Get your welcome offer at this legal casino in Ontario! if you’re into calculated risks and reliable payouts. Riley’s front office, meanwhile, is looking to pull off another bold move.
Houston and San Antonio can easily top any Heat offer in their sleep, but the Heat can offer the Suns some salary relief with Terry Rozier and Duncan Robinson’s partially guaranteed contracts.
We know that one player who’s a sticking point in the trade is Heat rookie Kel’el Ware, but according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the Suns have taken an interest in forward Andrew Wiggins and would likely want to include him, plus Ware, in a deal for Durant.
“The Suns have done background work on Heat forward Andrew Wiggins, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto wrote Monday. “Wiggins is owed $28.22 million this upcoming season and would likely be a part of any Heat trade package for Durant.”
“A key factor in Miami’s chances of landing Durant could hinge on whether the franchise is willing to part with talented 21-year-old big man Kel’el Ware, who’s of interest to Phoenix.”
Wiggins, 30, was acquired in the five-team Jimmy Butler blockbuster ahead of February’s trade deadline. He was the headliner, though he ultimately had a disappointing stint with the Heat, averaging just 19.0 points and 4.2 rebounds on 56.6 percent true shooting, appearing in just 17 games due to multiple lower-body injuries.
Wiggins is owed $58 million over the next two seasons, including a $30.1 million player option in 2026-27. Outside of Rozier–whose contract is roughly 95 percent of the way guaranteed as an expiring in 2025-26–Wiggins’ salary is the first place you look to match money.
Since the Suns would remain a second-apron team after the trade, Miami is not able to aggregate contracts past the $54.7 million that Durant will be making for the upcoming season. Wiggins’ $28.3 million is plenty to help them get there, but the Heat would need to add more young pieces–like Ware, Nikola Jovic or Jaime Jaquez–to make it work financially. Miami also has three tradable first-round picks in 2025, 2030 and 2032, which won’t be unlocked until the new league year when the trade becomes official.
Would you include Wiggins and Ware in a deal for Durant? Let us know in the comments!
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