As the Miami Heat continues to play hardball with the Phoenix Suns regarding a potential trade of Kevin Durant, a recent development may be just what the former needs to inch their way toward a winning hand. KD may have offered up the advantage to help force his way to Miami (or one of the Texas teams).
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Suns continue to hold trade talks around the league centered around KD, but the biggest development is the fact that the superstar forward had no desire to play in Minnesota. Up until now, the Timberwolves had reportedly been one of the more aggressive teams in trade talks. It certainly throws a wrench in the KD trade talks.
How this recent bit of information will impact their approach remains to be seen. However, it's clear that KD is trying to force his hand to one of the teams on his original list of preferred landing spots, which included the Heat, San Antonio Spurs, or Houston Rockets.
That should help Miami in their trade discussions with the Suns. It's hard to confidently say how much this will impact their talks, but this could be the exact lifeline that could help the Heat push a deal across the finish line.
It's closing time for the Heat
There's been a ton of recent noise that has surrounded the Heat and their pursuit of KD over the last few days. Some suggest they're close to a potential deal, while others indicate that perhaps their interest in KD has been overblown. But it does seem as if KD is interested in the possibility of playing for the Heat, and he might be doing his part to make that happen.
At this point, assuming interest is reciprocated, it's time for the Heat to close the deal. With the 2025 NBA Draft a little more than a week away, there's not much time for the Suns or Heat to waste. You'd have to imagine that all parties involved want to find some sort of resolution before the draft, especially under the assumption that draft picks will be involved in the compensation package.
Miami needs to close the deal now that talks are theoretically in its favor. If the Heat is looking for the right time to make a splash move, it may have arrived. With an acquisition of KD within their fingertips, it's time for the Heat to slam the door shut and finally land their whale.