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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Cody Martin? WTF? What a waste of time discussing him. Heat already has players on rookie contracts better than him.
I m happy. And I believe Rockets are no more of contender then last season.
I know you don’t like him and what he adds, but he’s still one of the top scorers in the league. The oddsmakers think it makes a difference. I do too. We’ll see.
He is a great player. Just not a number one player of a championship team. Never was.
GS is Currys team.
You are right, we will see.
Correct. Durant is not a great leader, communicator or motivator. He’s a scorer. Period.
Ditto. Miami dodged a bullet on that deal. Trading Ware would have been very stupid!
At least Miami still has other options.
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………
Good point guard.
Whose your top 3 attainable pg’s that it’s actually possible for us to get?
Lonzo Ball, Giddey, Vincent, Simmons,Tyus Jones, Conley.. Brogdon, Holiday..
In that order.
Only ones I like on that list are ball, giddey,Jones, brogdon, and maybe Simmons, and holiday. The only real needle movers that’s actually better then mitchell are giddey, brogdon, and holiday. Would rather have white over holiday tho.
Lonzo Ball: Injury prone. Averaged 42.1 games played in 6 seasons and did not play at all in 2 others (2022-2023 and 2023-2024). Played in 35 games last season and 2021-2022, the last season before his 2 year absence due to injury.
Giddey isn’t going anywhere. His teammate might. Before trading for Bane, the Orlando Magic offered Cole Anthony, Jonathan Isaac, two first-round picks, and a pick swap to the Chicago Bulls for Coby White. White appeared in 74 games for the Bulls this past season. He averaged 20.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists.
Vincent might be a descent back-up point guard, but not a starter. Mitchell is better.
Simmons is a head case and can’t shoot worth a crap from mid-range and deeper. If he can be picked up on a veteran’s minimum contract and converted to a back-up PF/C, he might be worth considering.
Tyus Jones is a borderline starter free agent who played for veteran’s minimum with Phoenix. In 81 games he averaged 10.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg and 5.3 apg. He is 6’1″ tall and is a 37.8% 3 pt shooter. Like Mitchell, he would be an excellent back-up PG and can be a good starter in a pinch However, he won’t make a difference as a starter.
Conley, Brogdon and Holiday are shells of their younger selves and do not fit the Heat timeline.
Conley: Will be 38 in October 2024-2025: 8.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 4.5 apg
Brogdon: Is an old 32. Injury prone. Appeared in 73 games total last two seasons combined (34.5 per season). 12.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.1 apg 28.6% 3pt
Holiday: 35 years old. 11.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.9 apg.
The Heat needs a quality starting PG. In addition to Coby White, I previously suggested Dejounte Murray, Jaden Ivey, Derrick White and Nikola Topic (who could split playing time with Mitchell).
I’m honestly glad we didn’t get him either, mainly cuz I wanna keep ware. I’m down for derozan or kuminga. But I wanna see if we can get a top tier pg first. I’ll take Murray, Derrick white, coby white, or ja if he’s available.
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
Instead of an overhaul, after unsuccessfully pursuing a ss, Riley then brings in spare parts and undrafted players and “runs it back” hoping that will be enough to excite the fan base into thinking it will get the Heat over the hump. The gig is up Pat. Choose a clear path and stick to it. This annual ritual of gaslighting the fans is getting a bit ridiculous.
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 .
Yep, I agree also Suns got a good deal. But Jalen Green is same position as Booker and Beal so young gun I guess will ride the bench.
Or they could use Brooks and/or some of those 5 second rounders as sweeteners to move off Beal.
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?
Funny, I see the opposite, that it helped both teams. Houston was #2 in the west and they kept their core. Adding KD may be exactly what they need to get past the second round. Suns drastically reduced their payroll, got a very good player in Green, should get a solid player at #10, and got 5 second rounders to use as capital in other trades if they choose to.
From ESPN…
Durant is a massive acquisition for the Rockets, particularly giving them a premier jump shooter and shot creator who fits seamlessly into the lineup.
After news of the trade agreement, Houston’s odds to win the NBA title next season moved from 18-1 to +850 at ESPN BET. That’s the second-best odds behind only the Oklahoma City Thunder (+220).
Green can be good, but he feels a little redundant with Booker and Beal already on the roster, and Brooks comes with his own baggage. Maybe there’s another trade imminent that will settle things into place, but as the Suns roster exists right now, I don’t see them competing at all next year.
As for the Rockets, it’s kind of the same problem in the other direction. Van Vleet is a good ball handler, but who’s taking that job when he’s off the court? The talent is there, but I’m not sure it’s in the right configuration anymore. Again, maybe another trade is forthcoming.
Maybe Suns will trade Booker for young player(s) and a buttload of draft picks and fully embrace the tank.
Honestly I think rockets got a lil better, but suns didn’t get better. If the suns could of gotten another young player like Reed or cam, it would be a success. Green is young and redundant, basically same player as booker and Beal. Brooks is a good piece, they needed a new enforcer since the crowder debacle. They need a c, so maybe they will draft one with the pick, also 5 second rounders isn’t enough to get off the Beal contract, so rockets win the trade.
Getting off the Beal contract definitely is a problem for them. Do you think they could do it for Beal, 4 second rounders, and their #29 first round pick?
Also, Suns seriously reduced their payroll. That’s a big help for them too.
Maybe they can get it off, but they would have to trade him to a garbage tanking team, that’s desperate for talent and picks. Maybe like the hornets so they can have big 3 of ball,Beal, and bridges. I say hornets cuz they would think they could compete in the weak east for a play in or playoff spot, while making lamelo happy to stay for a lil longer. But they probably wouldn’t mind losing either and getting top picks for the remainder of Beal contract, and blow it all up. Also sure it helps the suns with a reduced payroll, but the reduced payroll doesn’t mean nothing if they can’t get a decent center. They messed up trading ayton.
Why would Beal agree to be traded to a garbage tanking team? If Beal wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause to swap with Jimmy, what teams *would* he waive his clause for?
The selling point would be getting to start and play with melo and bridges in the weak east , but yes you’re right I totally forgot about his no-trade Claus. So he’s probably stuck with the suns until his contract is done.
I think Suns are going to need to wait for the Beal contract to expire. They have a huge rebuilding process ahead of them and not a lot of assets. Second round picks are a dime a dozen.
Rockets championship window is 2 yrs. This season and the next. Or that KD trade is a failure since dude is already 37 this yr. Giannis? Herro, Wiggins, Ware. Add Pat Connaughton and the trade works. At least in trade machine but Bucks will want more obviously.
They’d better not ask for Duncan, or the deal is off.
Duncan is valuable to some team (maybe the Heat) as a salary saver if he is not extended for 2025-2026.
Pie in the sky scenario # 356.
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.
It is a smart play.
Absolutely! Desperate GMs do desperate things. If Riley buys out Robinson and signs Mitchell and Burks, the deals will come to him. Meanwhile, he can discretely explore what Herro, Wiggins, expiring contracts and players on rookie contracts are worth on the open market and what players Miami might be able to get in return. He has nothing to lose.