The longer the Kevin Durant sweepstakes drags on, the higher the likelihood it may be that the Miami Heat will be able to land KD on a discount. And if the latest reporting surrounding the Phoenix Suns and KD is any indication, the Heat should feel confident about where they currently stand in trade talks.
The KD sweepstakes continues to be more of a waiting game at this point. For a team like the Heat, they're hoping the Suns will accept an offer that is already on the table, one that may not have their best assets completely on the table. Up to now, the Suns haven't been enamored by any offer on the table (from the Heat or any of the other bidding teams). Phoenix is hoping that they can stir up better offers for KD. The other teams are hoping that the asking price is lowered as time passes.
According to Suns reporter Duane Rankin, the Heat (and other bidders) could be getting their wish. The Suns have "no leverage" in KD trade talks, and they may quickly get to a point where they're going to have to lower the asking price, per Rankin. This has to be music to Heat fans' ears.
KD on a discount could be a game-changer for the Heat
While there is a portion of the fan base that is directly against the Heat trading for KD, one of the bigger reasons why is the cost of a potential deal. Trading multiple first-round picks and foundational young pieces for a 37-year-old star past his prime is not ideal.
However, much of that sentiment could change if the Heat is able to pry KD away from Phoenix on a discount. If the Heat could find a way to acquire KD while keeping Kel'el Ware and perhaps only parting ways with one of their young players, salary fillers, one first-round pick, and a pick swap, it could completley change the tune of the fan base and how this team may project heading into next season.
To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure how likely a scenario that is, but if Pat Riley (and the Heat's front office) is able to hold the line just long enough, it may have a chance to come to fruition.
At this point, it's difficult to tell where KD is going to be traded. What's clear is that it's probably going to happen at some point soon, and the Heat are very much in the mix. Landing KD on a discount also can't be completely off the table for Miami, and, if that were to happen, it'd completely alter the rest of this offseason's outlook.