Well, the Miami Heat didn't land Kevin Durant. After weeks of speculation, the Phoenix Suns have agreed to trade Durant to the Houston Rockets for a variety of assets the Heat weren't willing to match.
The reality for Miami heading into next year is that 2025-26 is going to be a bumpy ride. But if one is willing to take a deep breath, not landing Durant might work out better in the long term.
Miami Heat missed out on Kevin Durant, and that's okay
The hard truth for Miami is that heading into the 2025-26 season, the ceiling for the Heat isn't much better than it was this past year. Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, Kel'el Ware, and Andrew Wiggins can probably lead Miami to somewhere between 7th and 10th in the East, a potential berth in the actual playoffs, and if things go well, they might actually win a game or two in April of 2026.
But while missing out on Durant isn't ideal, it also isn't the end of the world for Miami if they are willing to stay patient past 2025-26.
Miami didn't land Durant in part because they weren't willing to part ways with Ware.
The reality is that Miami wasn't going to win a title with Durant. If it hadn't had Ware, given its significant roster deficiencies, it would have left. And short of winning a title, it wasn't worth blowing up Miami's roster for Durant for an end product that wasn't going to end with a banner.
If Heat fans are willing to stay patient, there are prospects available in this draft, even at No. 20, that can help this franchise tread water while waiting to take a better shot down the road.
Jase Richardson, Asa Newell, Nique Clifford, Nolan Traore, Rasheer Fleming, and Walter Clayton Jr. are all players with a high enough upside that can help the Heat down the road if Miami fans are willing to stay patient.
If Miami wants to win the war and raise another banner, it has to accept it lost the Battle of Durant, even if that means 2025-26 might be a rough ride.