If the Miami Heat’s recent 1-7 stretch clarifies anything, it’s that this team is in need of a star offensive player to reignite the organization’s championship hopes.
Finding that star is easier said than done. The Heat know this all too well, having recently truck out on stars like Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell and Kevin Durant over the last few seasons.
The Heat could try to get Kevin Durant this summer -- again.
Well, the Heat might get another chance at Durant this summer. The Phoenix Suns not-so-secretly shopped Durant before the trade deadline and reportedly had conversations with several teams, including the Heat (that didn’t lead to anything substantial). Since then, Durtant’s future in Phoenix has become an open question.
Though Durant brushed off the trade speculation publicly, he’s concluded that his time in Phoenix is over after this season, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
“They’re going to trade him. And he knows that,” Windhorst said Wednesday on ESPN’s NBA Today. “There have been a couple of opportunities where he could have criticized them for trying to trade him. He has not done that. He has been very professional about this and I expect him to continue to do that throughout the rest of the regular season. He’s going to try to win every game he’s out there.”
The Suns are 27-31 and sit 11th in the West standings. Their grand plan of contending with Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal will likely fail for the second straight season. In the summer, Durant will have leverage to find a better situation.
During an appearance on Draymond Green’s podcast, Durant said he wants to end his career “on my terms” and “me going to your team, it’s going to be a whole different era when I go to your team. I’m still of value.”
At 36, Durant is still one of the league’s premier players. He is averaging 26.9 points on 53% shooting, 6 rebounds and 4.3 assists this season. After being talked about at the deadline, Durant clarified that he didn’t want to make another midseason move.
“He gave himself a little ad there,” Windhorst said. “He’s like, ‘Whatever team gets me, you know I’m going to make a difference. I’m still in my prime.’ So, I think he’s handled this very appropriately.
“KD has set himself up for his last act. I think everybody’s intentions are crystal clear here.”
Windy on KD's future with Phoenix:
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) February 26, 2025
"They're gonna trade him and he knows that. I think everybody's intentions are crystal clear here" pic.twitter.com/LhDXKQFZXM
Durant will enter the final season of a four-year, $194 million contract next season and will be eligible to sign an extension this summer. That gives him leverage in potential trade talks and the chance to potentially choose his next destination.
As they always do, the Heat will call. Adding a player like Durant would give the Heat their best no. 1 scoring option since LeBron James left in 2014. Miami could have up to two 2025 first-round picks to trade, young players and options for matching contracts.
Trade talks never progressed earlier this month because the Heat and Suns were reportedly far apart on a deal, but if Durant decides he wants to end his career in Miami, he has the power to make it happen.