The Miami Heat could be on the verge of closing in on a major acquisition.
(Photo via azcentral.com)
Pat Riley’s dream star target could potentially be days away from coming to a reality. The Kevin Durant sweepstakes have been aggressively heating up as each day passes, and fueling the Miami Heat’s Durant speculation. And Friday’s most recent update was enough to instantly break the internet.
ESPN’s lead Senior Insider Shams Charania has reported that the Durant market has come down to three finalists— the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Miami Heat.
It is unclear how much of KD’s preference will be the biggest factor in this deal getting done. Alongside this, the Phoenix Suns’ search for the most competitive deal for them will influence the outcome. An outcome featuring a combination of both notions could be enough to land the franchise’s biggest superstar since LeBron James in 2010, potentially making Miami Heat Durant connections a reality.
Charania noted that this blockbuster deal could get finalized as early as this weekend.
Kevin Durant is one of the league’s most lethal scoring talents, averaging nearly 27 points on 53% shooting this past season.
Durant and Miami have circled back on each other several times over the years. Riley was at the finish line of getting a deal done at this trade deadline for Phoenix’s 15-time All-Star. Those discussions, according to Barry Jackson, reportedly ended when the Suns rejected the Heat’s February final offer. That attempted package included Jimmy Butler, Josh Richardson, Nikola Jovic, and one first-round draft pick.
Fast forward months later, and now the leverage is no longer in Phoenix’s favor. Durant has quietly displayed a disgruntled notion towards the Suns organization. They entertained trade offers behind his back from the beginning. Furthermore, Phoenix’s core has also failed to reach any sort of relevancy in the loaded Western Conference, which led to both parties needing to look elsewhere. Thus, another Heat Durant attempt emerges.
The 11th seed Suns missed the NBA play-in this season, which prevented them from entering the actual playoffs. This happened despite having a star-studded trio of Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal.
KD, even at the age of 36, remains a healthy and efficient top-10 caliber player.
It’s evident that KD is ready to settle into potentially his final destination to properly finish off his legendary career. The Heat organization could provide the stability that he has desperately needed.
Heat
Wolves
Rockets
Kevin Durant’s preference can and should absolutely separate this pack instantly. Only one of these destinations provide the organizational stability/a better shot to win in a weaker East.
& we all know a place where villains are welcome… @KDTrey5 🏝️🔥 pic.twitter.com/odocRMbAah
— Hot Hot Hoops (@hothothoops) June 13, 2025
Udonis Haslem on Kevin Durant:
“Definitely he fits into Miami Heat Culture.”
“If he happens to come into the Miami Heat locker room, he happens to come into a team with a Hall of Fame coach… and culture.”
“He doesn’t have to be the leader.”
— Wes Goldberg (@wcgoldberg) June 13, 2025
However, it is unclear what trade package offer is in discussion from Riley at this juncture. But it’s been reported from several sources that they are trying their hardest to keep Kel’el Ware off the table. Virtually everybody else on the entire roster outside of the Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro duo seem expendable here.
They have several expiring contracts that could provide the Suns with desperately needed salary cap relief. Along with this, they have intriguing young pieces like Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez Jr. Andrew Wiggins could also be an attractive headliner in a deal. He is someone that the Suns pursued at the deadline.
To sum it up, the Heat have assets to pull this off, hinting at whether Miami can transform those assets into a Durant acquisition.
It’s also uncertain how much draft capital exactly that Riley is willing to give up. Nonetheless, the Heat have three tradable first-round picks and pick swaps to utilize. That includes this year’s 20th pick of the June 25 NBA draft.
What exact trade package, along with Miami’s aggression to get this done, could be known within the next week.
Who would you be willing to give up for KD? Let us know in the comments!
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This is a developing news story. Stay tuned for updates.
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