Miami Heat: It’s time to move on from the Kevin Durant pipe dream
By Isiah Curry
Miami Heat: Even If The Semantics Could Be Worked Out, Is It Worth It?
Even if the semantics could be worked out without moving the core pieces, there is another part to all of that too.
IF NOT JIMMY AND BAM, THE HEAT’S OTHER TRADABLE PIECES AREN’T TOO APPEALING.
With the intent of keeping their two highest-paid players, the Heat would next be left with Kyle Lowry and Duncan Robinson’s contracts, which combine for about $45.2 million in outgoing salary.
While this does match the incoming salary that would be Durant’s $44.2 million, they would then need to include Tyler Herro, a younger asset to make the deal more enticing to actually take. The Heat will not be able to complete a superstar trade of any kind without including the Sixth Man of The Year winner.
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As Herro is now extension-eligible, he stands as Miami’s best-valued asset at just $5.7 million for next season (team option). Lastly, the Heat’s draft compensation, including pick-swaps, would also be needed.
They do have an option of trading to unprotect their 2025 pick from Oklahoma City, which would provide access to more future draft selections. However, this is essentially the same function as a three-team deal.
This just isn’t an ideal exchange for the Nets, who would be receiving two players no younger than the age of 28. On an even worse note, Lowry and Robinson’s contracts aren’t expiring next year and are fully guaranteed for 2023-24.