2. Kevin Durant
According to Heavy.com’s Sean Deveney, the Miami Heat would be considered a “favorite” to acquire perennial superstar Kevin Durant this offseason. Of course, this is only if either the Phoenix Suns and/or Durant himself decide to move on and are open to a trade. This type of decision follows after the Suns' newly developed “super-team” just got swept out of the first round of the playoffs.
Durant is 35 years old, and simply doesn’t have much time left to waste on a team that has virtually failed to even come close to meeting expectations. Both the Heat and Durant could really use each other at this point, and all-time talent like himself would finally give Miami a clear cut number one option offensively. Butler and Adebayo could still do the majority of the leading, but Durant can just be himself on the court.
Durant also had Miami as a preferred destination two years back, when he was trying to move on from the Brooklyn Nets.
Ultimately the Suns were more aggressive in getting a deal done, but it is not too late for a Heat/Durant pairing. The former multi-time champion and league MVP is still one of the greatest offensive forces throughout the association; with 2023-2024 averages of 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists on 52.3% shooting.
It would take a haul to win over the Suns in negotiations, but Durant’s preference to be here along with a mix of Herro and other assets could work out a fair deal.