MIAMI — A week ago, Udonis Haslem could not have been more emphatic about the Miami Heat being the perfect landing spot for Kevin Durant, amid the Phoenix Suns working for a trade of the 15-time All-Star.

Back on ESPN on Friday, Haslem, who when he is not fulfilling media responsibilities carries the tag of Miami Heat vice president of basketball development, was far more measured during an appearance on Get Up!

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Speaking after smiling while former Heat forward Markieff Morris spoke of Miami as the perfect fit for Durant, Haslem’s comments were preceded by show host Mike Greenberg saying, “I just hope that UD’s smile alone is not considered tampering. That would be my only concern here. UD, I don’t know exactly what you’re allowed to say about this, but what are your thoughts on Kevin Durant?”

As week ago, Haslem said on ESPN, “Kevin Durant would fit in anywhere, but definitely I feel like he fits in Miami Heat culture.”

This time Haslem took a more expansive view of the ongoing process, with the Heat, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves among the teams believed to be the frontrunners in the Durant chase, if he is dealt.

“The three teams that I’m hearing, I’m hearing Houston, I’m hearing Minnesota and obviously we’re hearing Miami,” Haslem said. “And I look at all three of those situations and I see a situation that can work for KD.”

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With the Rockets, Haslem cited coach Ime Udoka, who this week received a contract extension.

“You look at a team in Houston,” Haslem said, “where there’s a young team, but they’re top of the West last year; they had the fourth-ranked defense. He can come in, Ime Udoka is definitely the leader of that young squad. They’re building the culture there, so he can come in, just fall in line, and just be who KD is.”

Of the Timberwolves, Haslem spoke of Durant possibly offering needed support to emerging All-Star Anthony Edwards.

“You look at Minnesota,” Haslem said, “you put him next to Ant Man and this is a team who I feel like last year or two years ago they went to the Western Conference finals, and then this particular season they didn’t get it done, but it was obvious and more glaring this particular playoff that they needed another scorer next to Ant Man.”

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He then related the Heat position, citing the influence of coach Erik Spoelstra, among others.

“And then you look at the Miami Heat, you look at the growth of Bam Adebayo, you look at the growth of Tyler Herro, and you look La Spoelstra Nostra, who is, in my opinion, the best coach in the league right now, and he can come into a situation where there’s a culture,” Haslem said of Durant. “They’re going to push him. But he can be comfortable, he can be a favorite player’s favorite player, and just be Kevin Durant, give me that 50, 40 and that 90 from the free-throw line and just be a hell of a ball player.”

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Speaking ahead of Haslem, Morris did not have to be as diplomatic and was effusive as the Heat being best for Durant, with the Suns believed to be working with Durant toward a mutually agreeable landing spot. Durant also carries the hammer of a contract that expires after next season, potentially leaving an unwelcome destination after a single season.

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“I would like to see him playing in South Beach,” Morris said. “I think it sets up perfectly to build a team with guys like Bam Adebayo, that does it all, the culture of winning in Miami. You have another elite scorer in Tyler Herro. But (Durant) could step right in and be the ultimate scorer that he has been.

“And it’s not shots at other coaches, but the little bit of time that I played in Miami, that was the best brand of basketball that I’ve been a part of. Spo does a great job of getting the best out of guys, and I think that’s the perfect spot for him. The East is wide open and he can flourish there.”

Durant is under contract to the Suns at $54.7 million for next season, then eligible to hit free agency in the 2026 offseason. Turning 37 in September, Durant would be eligible in July to sign a two-year, $112 million extension with an acquiring team.

The Heat have a variety of contracts and draft picks to put in play for Durant, including veteran players such as Andrew Wiggins, Duncan Robinson and Terry Rozier, as well as developing prospects such as Kel’el Ware, Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez Jr.

The timetable for a Durant trade seemingly could revolve around Wednesday’s first round of the NBA draft, with the Heat holding the No. 20 selection.