There was a point a few weeks ago when it appeared that the Miami Heat were somewhat of a favorite to land Kevin Durant via trade. As one of his reported preferred landing spots, that was hardly a shock. However, with how the Houston Rockets, where KD ultimately landed, have operated at the start of NBA Free Agency, it's clear that the Heat were never the right landing spot for the superstar forward.
As soon as free agency opened, the Rockets wasted little time in making it clear that they were going to go all-in with moves to help surround KD with the necessary supporting cast he needed to win a championship. Whether the moves will end up paying off remains to be seen, but Houston has certainly backed up their desire to win.
Since the start of the offseason, Houston has added Kevin Durant, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Clint Capela. They've also re-signed Jabari Smith Jr., Fred VanVleet, and Steven Adams.
At this point, it's hard to imagine that the Heat would've been able to or willing to do the same. That's the biggest reason why it's become quite clear that the Rockets were the much better potential landing spot for KD this offseason.
The Heat continue to play the waiting game
Miami, on the other hand, continues to play the waiting game even with free agency in full swing. Despite many rumors that the Heat have found themselves in, it doesn't appear as if the team is close to making a significant move.
Even though it shouldn't come as a huge surprise for the franchise, especially considering they have limited assets and no cap space flexibility, it continues to be difficult to process for the fan base. The Heat sitting on their hands thus far into the start of the offseason is even more difficult to swallow considering how much Pat Riley alluded to change during his end-of-the-season press conference.
You can't preach change and then get shocked when the fan base grows frustrated because that change hasn't occurred. This is the dynamic that is present at the moment. The fans want change, even if it is just for the sake of it, and the front office believes the opposite.
I'm sure the front office is playing the waiting game for the right opportunity. The fans aren't that patient, and they shouldn't be. They don't have to be. They're fans. However, at some point, you'd have to wonder if the front office is truly playing with fire.
The Heat has been considered one of the best-run organizations in the league for the better part of the last three decades. If they're not careful, that label could quickly run its course. And if the fans' frustrations are any indication, they may be getting to that dangerous point of no return.