The Miami Heat have missed out on another trade for a superstar, this time Kevin Durant.
Kevin Durant is heading to the Houston Rockets, with a trade announced hours before NBA Finals’ Game 7.
Durant’s exit from the Phoenix Suns was a formality, but the big question was over where he might go.
OKC Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks were earlier tipped as possibilities, but it was later narrowed down to three teams’; the Rockets, Miami Heat, and San Antonio Spurs.
Miami were the most desperate rivals to the Rockets, as they sought to add a superstar and tempt Durant to play in the Eastern Conference for the first time in his career.
In the end the Rockets made a superior offer, leaving Miami Heat fans despondent.
Photo by Justin Ford/Getty ImagesMiami Heat fans react to Kevin Durant trade
The Miami Heat were swept in the NBA Playoffs first round by the Cleveland Cavaliers, with their roster simply not good enough to compete.
They traded away an unhappy Jimmy Butler midseason and hoped that Durant could fill the gap.
Their failure to land Durant has left fans worried about the team’s future.
“This Heat roster sucks. It should be gutted to the screws,” wrote one unhappy fan on X.
Another echoed these thoughts, posting: “Trade Bam, trade Herro, trade everyone right now!”
Others directed their thoughts at the front office, with one posting: “Please fire Pat Riley please.”
“It was never happening,” another wrote, while a fifth reflected on Houston’s deal, writing: “We couldn’t compete with that offer.”
Others continued to be annoyed with Miami’s near-miss, posting: “Nothing new Miami still dropping the ball.”
“It’s always Miami every single time,” another wrote, in reference to claims the Heat were second in the race.
Miami’s best offer
The Houston Rockets’ winning offer for Kevin Durant is as follows:
Houston Rockets receive: Kevin DurantPhoenix Suns receive: Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, 10th pick in the 2025 draft and five second-round picks
According to ESPN, Miami pushed hard but decided not to go all in and trade as much as they possibly could.
ESPN wrote: “The Heat made multiple offers for Durant but ultimately turned down the opportunity to place Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, Haywood Highsmith, the No. 20 pick and other draft assets in a deal”.
Many would argue this was a cost Miami should have paid. It remains to be seen where they will turn this offseason.
This will go down as a big opportunity missed for the Heat, and Pat Riley needs to get to work.