Kevin Durant speaks onstage during Fanatics Fest NYC 2025 at Javits Center on June 22, 2025 in New York City (Image Source – Getty Images) Kevin Durant was linked to the Miami Heat for months, but when the dust settled, it was Houston Rockets that landed the superstar. Former Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers, who knows the pressure of playing alongside LeBron James, weighed in on why Durant might have avoided South Beach.
Why Miami Heat was a contender for Kevin Durant
Prior to the trade, there were widespread rumors linking Durant to several teams, including the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, and the Rockets themselves. Reports from June 2025 indicated that Durant had expressed interest in committing long-term to one of these three destinations if traded.The Miami Heat were seen as a strong contender for Kevin Durant, given their history of pursuing star talent and their competitive culture under president Pat Riley and head coach Erik Spoelstra. Miami had engaged in trade discussions with Phoenix Suns, but the talks stalled when the Heat refused to include promising young forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. in the deal.Instead, the Houston Rockets emerged as the winner, bolstering their young core with a proven superstar in hopes of accelerating their rebuild into contention. Houston Rockets’ head coach, Ime Udoka, later commented on the addition, noting it would help streamline the offense and aid the development of younger players.
Mario Chalmers shares why Kevin Durant chose Houston Rockets over the Miami Heat
Amid this backdrop, former Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers, a two-time NBA champion who played alongside LeBron James during the Heat’s Big Three era from 2010 to 2014, shared his insights on Durant’s decision to join Houston over Miami.Mario Chalmers, whose NBA career spanned from 2008 to 2018 and included stints with the Heat and Memphis Grizzlies, discussed the topic in a recent interview on Episode 3 of Scoop B Selects, hosted by basketball journalist Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson.The interview covered a range of topics from Heat Culture to player legacies, but Chalmers’ comments on Durant stood out for their candid analysis of the pressures involved in joining Miami.When Robinson asked Chalmers directly, “Were you surprised that Kevin Durant chose Houston over Miami?” Chalmers responded without hesitation: “No, I wasn’t surprised. I’ve been saying it for years. I don’t think KD ever goes to the Heat just because of the LeBron legacy. He’s gotta win two or more championships before he goes to the Heat so, I don’t think that pressures warranted at this age or at this time so I’d never thought that he’d go to Heat.”This statement, delivered in the context of a one-on-one conversation on Scoop B Selects, highlights Chalmers’ belief that the shadow of LeBron James’ accomplishments in Miami—where James won two championships in 2012 and 2013, creates an immense burden for any incoming superstar.Mario Chalmers was a key contributor on those title teams including hitting a crucial three-pointer in Game 4 of the 2012 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, speaks from personal experience about the expectations in Miami.Also Read: Michael Jordan’s son Marcus Jordan escapes conviction after DUI but a punishment is on the lineKevin Durant joins a rising Rockets team that finished the 2024-25 season with a 41-41 record, showing promise with young talents like Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson. The trade has already boosted ticket sales for the Rockets, signaling fan excitement for the 2025-26 season.