The Houston Rockets used their gavel Sunday, acquiring Phoenix Suns 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 overall pick and five second-round picks.
The Miami Heat were consistently a team rumored to be in the mix, but came up short of Phoenix’s asking price for Durant, who was expected to be traded ahead of this week’s NBA Draft. As the dust settled Sunday evening, the Heat’s final offer was revealed, according to the Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang and Barry Jackson.
Two important details were revealed, one including the Heat’s unwillingness to include more than one first-round pick and Kel’el Ware. However, the other was that the Heat did not include fourth-year forward Nikola Jovic in their final offer.
“According to a source with direct knowledge, the Heat not only declined to offer center Kel’el Ware, but also did not offer forward Nikola Jovic to Phoenix in final discussions between the team before Suns shipped Durant to Houston on Sunday,” the report from Jackson and Chiang read. “The source said that Miami was never willing to offer more than one first-round pick.
“The Heat’s final offer included Andrew Wiggins, Terry Rozier, two bench players and the 20th pick in Wednesday’s NBA Draft. Haywood Highsmith and Jaime Jaquez Jr. were discussed as those two additional pieces in Miami’s offer, the source said.”
Assuming Andrew Wiggins, Terry Rozier, Haywood Highsmith and Jaime Jaquez were all included in the trade, the deal would not have been cap compliant if Durant was the only one heading back. That quartet makes approximately $64.4 million, nearly $10 million more than Kevin Durant’s $54.7 million, which the Heat couldn’t exceed because the Suns were a second-apron team post-trade.
According to the Herald’s report, “Miami was willing to take on the salary of an unnamed Suns player,” to make the trade work. The Heat also made “other permutations,” but did not want to offer Ware and were “reluctant” to include Jovic, who has played just 107 games in three years.
You could argue that both Ware and Jovic were two of the Heat’s top three assets not named Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. Jovic is extension eligible this offseason, averaging 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists on 45.6 percent shooting and 37.1 percent from beyond the arc.
Obviously, the Heat’s aforementioned offer wasn’t enough, though I wasn’t a proponent of trading future first-round picks nor Ware to begin with. That part, I remain firm that they were right on–
We’re living in the thrill of the unknown–we’ll never know what would’ve ensued–but is Jovic’s omission because he would’ve possibly been the next shoe to drop? More work would’ve been needed to salvage this mess, albeit likely for a worse player than Kevin Durant.
I’m hypothesizing. We will never know why, but alas.
What do you think about the Heat’s final offer? Let us know in the comments!
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wheres oregoner on the terrible trade for his blazers
holiday for simons
Miami Miami Miami just gotta love it, every team does something and this team is gonna stand pat (pun). Not only that now we’re pushing for a gap year cause this incompetent FO didn’t think to gap year this year when quitter decided to act out? I also looked at the 26’ FA class and love to know besides doncic what great FA yall seeing on there? And spoiler for those who haven’t seen this movie yet Mia doesn’t end up with the pretty girl….same movie I’ve seen in the last decade. We can gap year it run it back again 7x and hope and pray Mia is gonna get the pretty girl but it isn’t gonna happen. Lmfao have fun keeping hope alive…….guaranteed that half the good/decent 26’ FAs sign with their current team or sign somewhere else besides Mia.
mia still has good name attached to it.lebron going to so beach made that.but now no d wade the best gm in heat history nad no level a players.gonna be a while hhh4l for a contender down here.sports is cyclical great run for 3 decades almost.now its time to suk for a while unless sunman takes the gm job.current gm is washed but mickey would never fire his best buddy.step son eric we’ll become very mediocre if i were him id seek another team or the gm job. his top 15 coach image will be tarnished .
I had not gone through the list of unrestricted 2026 free agents until I read your comment. Assuming we’re not interested in the Trae Youngs of the world, there were not that many options. Doncic, Fox, Porzingis (?), Jackson Jr, Bridges. Other solid players are restricted or team option. Interesting.
Don’t think anyone has especially hearing so many here saying “gap year” then shoot for 26’ FA class you’d think it was the 2010 FA class with bron wade bosh etc when it’s not close to that. And I already know doncic (not leaving that LA weather) Fox had the chance to play with his buddy bam but instead zeroed in on SA. Don’t want Tingus pingus oft injured ass Jackson Jr bam 2.0 or 1.0 whatever your preference bridges probably not leaving the Villanova Knicks. All my opinions ofc take what you will but it is what it is
Jrue Holiday to the Blazers for Simons.
Boston unloads a big salary to get under the second apron, and gets a younger player in return.
And what’s Portland doing? Still sucking at managing a bb franchise?
That trade made no sense for them.
whats miami doing?
How bout going for Kuminga ?
Yes
Or a three way trade. Wiggins to Golden State, Kuminga to Chicago and Coby White and Zach Collins (both expiring contracts) to Miami. Would need to have agreement with White for 3-4 year extension before trade/start of season.
quit writing about it execute it
We need a point guard.
White is a PG. Chicago has two, him and Giddey.
and Lonzo.
expired contract. ufa
whites more of a 2g btw.
https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4395651/coby-white
Terrible news on Haliburton. Best wishes to him for a full recovery.
Yep…that was just terrible. There’s even a vid clip zooming in on the achilles breaking
5 NBA Superstars Who Were Never The Same After An Achilles Injury
1. Kobe Bryant2. Patrick Ewing3. Klay Thompson4. Elton Brand5. DeMarcus Cousins
*Isiah Thomas was past his prime but it ended his career.
add the great dan marino
All I know is that the Heat’s best and final offer was rejected. On to new business.
As I have repeatedly suggested, Miami is better off cleaning house and clearing the books and rebuilding around a younger, deeper, better defensive team. What they lack, they will be in a much better position to acquire once they get through next season. The following quotes are from an article in this morning’s FANSIDED which pretty much summarizes my feelings.
Heat’s refusal to trade for Kevin Durant foreshadows stunning move. The Miami Heat may have had a plan all along.
1) …despite the shame and backlash they may be facing, the Heat are perfectly positioned to be one of the most desired destinations for free agents or disgruntled stars during the summer of 2026. (I absolutely agree)
2) The only two players that are guaranteed to be on the roster after this season are Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. (I disagree. I think Bam and Ware)
3) Davion Mitchell and Nikola Jovic will probably be signed to extensions this summer, but nothing is a certainty just yet. (I agree. However, Jovic may be involved in a trade)
4) There’s a scenario in which the Heat has pretty clear books after this season….the Heat are looking more and more like a team that will be operating with a clean slate during the summer of 2026.” (I absolutely agree)
5) If the Heat is willing to embrace a “gap year” of sorts this season, there could be a clear way out of mediocrity for the franchise. In some respects, missing out on KD could’ve been a blessing in disguise for the Heat. (I absolutely agree)
6) The Heat will have no excuses. They’ll have capable cap space and a flurry of draft assets they could offer via trade, including enticing young assets that won’t be considered to have negative value. (I absolutely agree)
7) It’s understandable for the fan base to be depressed after the KD fiasco, but the light at the end of the tunnel is near. If the Heat play their cards right this offseason, the summer of 2026 could be everything this fan base has been hoping for. (I absolutely agree)
All is not lost. Hang loose folks and be patient. Enjoy each step in the process along the way, starting with this week’s draft. Maybe Riley will pull a rabbit out of his…hat. Who knows, a year from now the Heat may look like a completely different (and far better) team.
GO HEAT!!!
I always find something to enjoy and appreciate about my team, particularly young players.
Yup. Every year can’t be a championship year. Things change, season to season. Enjoy the game for what it is. Enjoy seeing the young guys developing and new players coming in.
I just found this and it’s so laughable…
Suns insider John Gambo was brutally honest on the Heat’s failed pursuit of KD:
“The Miami offer was junk. No Ware. No Jovic. Only one draft pick and players they nor the Suns wanted. Garbage. Miami was never really serious. They just pretend to be to appease their fan base.”
lol, talk about sour grapes. Obviously, nobody was offering all that much
Meanwhile in Phoenix…BSOTS (Bright Side Of The Sun)
~Anonymous ~
“For me, it was so tough watching the Suns play. Even games they won. Often times, KD gave off vibes that he really just didn’t care. And when you are getting paid that much money, by God, you should care. If you don’t, at least fake it. (FWIW, I don’t have any idea whether Phoenix will win their first game next season but win it or lose it, I know for a fact, sans KD, I will enjoy watching them play again)”
______________________________________________________________________
That was my attitude after “Quitter” decided to Quit on everybody. I too was just looking forward to seeing the guys have fun playing basketball again. I wasn’t disappointed. The Play-in versions of Davion Mitchell and the team were fun to watch. That Atlanta game alone. It may have cost the team Cooper Flagg, but I don’t care. I was just happy to see the guys giving 100% (not intentionally tanking) and having fun playing again after all the chaos and trauma the “Quitter” had put them through.
I can’t say I am happy about losing the #1 pick opportunity. I’m not. But since before February 2025, I said and noted that Butler was not giving his all and should have been traded for a substantial haul at that point. Then this season he went into pure arrogant quitter mode. Pure misery. I’m glad it’s behind us. Many, like you and I, have been hoping for a younger, more athletic group of players. The opportunity is there now.
Yes. I hope Riley doesn’t give away our #20 pick. Rumor is that Sacto wants Wiggins. I bet they would trade him at the deadline for young player(s) and or pick(s). I don’t like either trade for DeRozan.
If Riley plays this right, Miami can wind up with Kuminga, DeRozan and Coby White giving up Herro, Wiggins, #20 pick and a young player or two not named Ware or Jovic.
kd top 10 player all time quitter doesnt sniff top 100
I have to agree with Gambo. Riley wasn’t serious about getting KD unless he could steal him, which is basically what Houston did.
Riley imo has a different take on his “seriousness” bout KD. He’s serious to get him but age is too concerning it doesn’t get that much leverage thus the offer, which obviously not good for them.
The shoe was on the other foot. Riley wouldn’t accept Suns’ offer for Butler and Phoenix turned down Riley’s offer for Durant. What goes around… comes around.
I believe what Miami offer is somehow a real value of KD. Huston overpaid him.
Yep. But only time will tell if KD is worth it. Conf Finals for me should be the determining factor.
kd sells tickets creates interest other fas might want to join him in houston.same thingcould of happened down here ,big swing and miss.jovic cost us kd.hope niko develops better than he has shown last 3 years
Ahahaha,
Great stuff.
the whole team besides bam and maybe ware is junk
Niko has to be a 3pt specialist .thats the role i see for him.Hes not a driver or low post player so work on that jummper shnozzy
Jovic is what is called a “late bloomer.” There are several examples around the league. I don’t think anyone knows how good he can or will be. The good thing is that Miami can extend him for cheap this year and throw him in a trade if he doesn’t work out. The last thing Riley wants to do is give up on him now then let some other team benefit from Miami’s development efforts when he hits his stride.
So some sort of official decree of how much FO values Jovic. Interesting if nothing else have been curious past year
Niko needs to stay healthy and he can become a very solid player. Health and consistency. I would love to see both this season.
There is always the hope that every player will make it. Let’s hope Niko gets a fair chance this year.
For a breakthrough, he needs:
-just for a tiny bit better 3p shooting.
-just for a tiny bit better finishing.
-a little more then a bit better post up game.
-better defense.
If he can improve that this year , he can get 15/5/5 with 45/38/80 % and be at least average defender. Thats quite good for a 22 years old. For sure he is already doing better than many of his peers, picked before him.
But this is the year. If hell fail to improve, he should be traded.
I agree that he is fully capable of getting those numbers as long as he gets the minutes. And you are exactly right to point out that he is only 22. He is at an age of many players being drafted now.
He’s too big to be a soft European style finesse player. He has the potential to be a good playmaking PF or SF. He needs to continue bulking up, toughening up, maturing, working on his defense, rebounding and ball handling/turnovers. Best case scenario, he becomes starting SF playing alongside Ware and Bam. Worst case scenario, he stagnates and levels off and remains second unit/rotation player or is traded.
As a model for him I see Avdija, which is a real monster now and borderline all star player.
Yes. He needs to bulk up. His body proportions do not typically fare well in the nba. But, he does have height going for him. And he surprises with his quick feet. Defensively, he’s better than you expect. If he changed his body a la Herro, he has a shot. There are also those who think he has made it before he has around here. He is not as good yet as Avdija. That guy has bulk and girth and a more accurate outside shot and is a much better finisher and he is only a rotation guy on a good team. It’s really hard to make it, especially for a gawky built guy. I give him a fifty fifty shot, and only a twenty percent chance to be a starter.
hmmm…so its not just Ware that Riles has confidence. but unless it comes from the horse’s mouth what was really offered we can only guess.
Yes, I thought I heard the initial reports did mention Jovic. At least Riley drove a hard bargain. But, then again, why was he even in the bidding?
did u go to panthers parade.?
No, I had plans that day. I went two days before just to see what the Elbo Room area and the stage where they gave the speeches looked like. There were not any Panthers there, unless I didn’t recognize them, but some athletes were there talking about baseball. The Elbo Room is a dive, but it was a fun place. and it was packed, I had been there a few times growing up, watching the spring breakers, but hadn’t been back in forty years. The area is not unlike Duval Street in Key West, but only two blocks long instead of twenty. It had some dirty sayings on t-shirts that were funny.
Ots important to be in the mix every time, just to keep reputation.
Suns fo are pissed at Heat’s offer. They think KD is just in his early 30s. They bought him big and tried selling him big also. After their team crashed and burn trying to save some face with this trade.
They ought to have a great time trying to unload Beal and his $50+ million a year contract.
Phoenix is just paying the debt they incurred when they got greedy a couple of years ago putting all their eggs in one basket. I think it’s called Karma. What was James Jones thinking? Four coaches in 4 years and Suns still owe them a buttload of money.
They will want even more for Beal. The only problem is how to convince him to leave that desert paradise.
Too much sun obviously cooked some brains over there.