Kevin Durant may be back on the trade block and, if so, there are already whispers that there will be some level of interest from the Miami Heat. If so, it just continues to prove that the Heat will never be able to quit the star chase.
Even though the Heat should probably stay away from another KD pursuit, they just can't quit the lure of a big name. And that's been one of the biggest weaknesses for the Heat franchise. Even when a star pursuit isn't necessarily in their best long-term interest, the Heat just can't say no.
Especially at this point in his career, it wouldn't make much basketball sense for the Heat to pursue KD.
Kevin Durant can't be the Heat's top target this summer
Unless, of course, it was a second big move from the offseason, it's difficult to envision KD making that much of a difference for the Heat next season. It'd be one thing if the Heat were able to acquire a combo of stars that included KD, perhaps something like Ja Morant and KD as a package, but the former alone just doesn't accomplish much.
And that's not necessarily a knock on KD himself. It's more so a revelation of how far gone this Heat roster is at the moment.
Miami is not just a KD away from competing in the Eastern Conference. He'd certainly give this team a huge boost on the offensive end of the floor, but they'd still need to significantly upgrade the rest of this roster around KD and Bam Adebayo to even have a puncher's shot in the East.
That, more than anything, is the biggest reason why it may not be the best plan for the Heat to go down a path of pursuing KD this summer again.
But that isn't going to make any easier to resist the temptation.
The Heat loves the chase of a big name
Historically, the Heat has never passed on the chase of the big name. Since Pat Riley joined the franchise, it's been what Miami has been known for. They just can't quit the star-hunting game.
And, to their credit, they've been successful more often than not with this philosophy. It's been much more hit or miss of late, but Riley confirmed in his end-of-the-season press conference that neither he nor the Heat will be changing the way they operate.
For the most part, the fan base knows it. It's something that they've had to come to terms with. That, probably no matter what the circumstances may be, and for better or worse, the Heat is going to pursue the flashy name.
Sometimes it works, and at times it doesn't. But that's been the Heat way for the better part of the last three decades.
If the recent reporting is any indication, it looks like that is going to continue to be the case this summer for the Heat. And even though many fans don't want to see the Heat chase KD again, it's almost certainly going to happen.
Especially if it becomes clear that they aren't able to pry Giannis Antetokounmpo away from Milwaukee.
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