At this point, it’s common knowledge that the Miami Heat are deeply entrenched in acquiring Kevin Durant, with this week’s draft signaled as Phoenix’s “soft deadline” to offload the 15-time All-Star, who is entering the final year of his contract.
In regards to the Heat, what we do know is that the Suns have zero leverage, and that second-year Heat center Kel’el Ware appears to be the sticking point. Another detail that we do know is that the Heat–like the Houston Rockets–can offer salary relief in any trade.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, Durant may not be the only one heading out of Phoenix in any trade, however, as forward Cody Martin–acquired at the deadline in the Jusuf Nurkic-Nick Richards swap–has generated interest. And the Miami Heat appear to be one of those teams.
“Another valuable footnote stemming from this week’s widespread Durant trade talks: League sources say several teams have registered interest in the Suns’ Cody Martin,” Stein wrote Saturday. “The veteran swingman could very well factor into any direct or multi-team deal that Phoenix inevitably puts together to ship out the NBA’s No. 8 all-time leading scorer.
“Miami, to name one example, is known to hold an affinity for Martin, sources say. The Heat certainly developed a familiarity for Martin while Miami rostered his twin brother Caleb.”
Martin, the twin brother of Caleb Martin, who played with the Heat for three seasons (2021-24), has battled lower body injuries each of the last three seasons, appearing in just 88 combined games, including 53 a season ago. In 2024-25, he averaged just 6.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 steals on 41.8 percent shooting, including 28.5 percent from 3-point range and 70.5 percent from the charity stripe.
Unlike Caleb, Cody is a more established “point forward,” so don’t necessarily be fooled by his low assist numbers. He’s never been the shooter or scorer that Caleb is, but he’s an adequate rebounder, passer and point-of-attack defender.
Martin, 29, owns a $8.7 million non-guaranteed contract for the 2025-26 season, which doesn’t become fully guaranteed until June 30. Thus, he could give the Heat or any other team acquiring him additional salary relief.
Any trade involving Martin does complicate matters for all sides since Phoenix is a second-apron team; it’s now about where they start, but about where they finish in the trade. Though the Suns are still over $11 million into the second apron at the time of this publishing, according to Spotrac.
Miami also has a crowded wing room with Andrew Wiggins, Duncan Robinson, Kyle Anderson, Haywood Highsmith, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic; a few of those names are presumed to be included in a Durant trade, however.
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I am really really relieved that this happened now. Not because I didn’t want Durant here, but that I didn’t want the Heat to overpay for him. And we know early and don’t have to linger for weeks going back and forth. Nobody here (I think) ever believed we would have a chance of getting Giannis, and there is no indication yet that he is leaving the Bucks anyway. So that leaves ‘what’s next’? As mentioned, I also don’t want them to overpay for DeRozan either – no first round pick. Now go get Kuminga or other young players.
Things are getting interesting………
pat cant get an a level older player cause herro and wiggins not highly thought of .gave up an aging ss and the return was mediocre at best.when is pat giving up his duties to sunman hhhers want to know.enough with this washed up gm his brain not sharp like before.
Nah, hfl wants to know.
Thats a great pass.
pat will get cody martin now kds not avail
KD to Rockets lol
dam i wanted him so bad.wow thank gd for the panthers
thanks for the bad news
Ur welcome
Pretty good deal for the Suns. They get 1 very good player, 1 good dirty player, and should get another very good player at #10. Plus 5 second rounders that can be used in other trades.
Hfl will be in mourning now. I hope he cheers up if we get the great Cody Martin, lol.
Heat equivalent si Herro , Mitchell, 20 pick and a young prospect instead of higher pick and 2nd rounders. Way too much .
I’m a little confused, as I don’t think the trade improves either team. I could be wrong, but I just don’t see either vision. I am kind of glad this particular episode is over now and won’t be dragged out all off-season.
Now we can focus on the really important question: how much of the team are we going to gut in a trade for Giannis?
I remember one time, a few years back, someone on this thread joked we got the better Martin, referring to Caleb. But, besides Caleb’s questionable math skills, it was true. Why waste time on a player who does not move any appreciable needle. I hope this isn’t another Pay Riley off season, with a lot of chatter, and little to show for it. Then again, we may end up doing what many here believe should be done, take a chill pill on 2025-26.
Yes, I could do without Cody. But passing on Durant might not be a miss, it may be the smart play not to give up assets and young players like Ware.