Heat included on Kevin Durant’s list of preferred destinations

KD wants Miami, but how far will the Heat front office go to get it done in bringing aboard the coveted superstar?
(Photo via Getty Images)

The KD sweepstakes have been escalating as the days go by, with Miami Heat-Kevin Durant talks continuing to gain traction. To begin the weekend, it was reported that the Phoenix Suns have been in serious conversations with three finalists of trade partners— the Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets and the Heat.

Shams Charania also iterated in his report that these trade negotiations are rapidly progressing. He is expecting a deal to go down “sooner rather than later.”

However, Durant himself has now added another layer to the trending trade drama. He did this by providing a list of his preferred destinations out of Phoenix. The interest from Miami to acquire Durant have led their way on that list of mutual interest between the 15-time All-Star and future Hall of Famer.

“The Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets are 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant’s preferred trade destinations out of Phoenix, sources tell ESPN. Those across the NBA have been made aware in recent days that those are the three teams that Durant would commit to long-term.”

“Durant is on an expiring $54.7 million deal for 2025-26, and the Suns have made clear to six-to-eight seriously interested teams that they will make the best deal for the franchise – even outside of his preferred list of Miami, San Antonio and Houston.”

— Shams Charania

The list of these preferred destinations is crucial for the trade market. This essentially signals to teams outside of that list, that they would have to risk giving up assets. It would be a significant risk for a potential one-year KD rental. His expiring salary puts the star in a position to test free agency elsewhere next summer if he doesn’t sign an extension with whatever team trades for him.

It was no secret that KD is open to taking his talents to South Beach again.

Each side has repeatedly circled back on each other starting all the way back in 2016. Durant was impressed with coach Erik Spoelstra’s recruiting pitch in a meeting at the Hamptons. This was before ultimately making his league-altering move to join the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty.

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Durant also had the Heat as a preferred destination along with Phoenix on two separate occasions when he departed from the Brooklyn Nets. Lastly, Miami attempted to land the superstar in a Jimmy Butler trade at this year’s deadline. This will be (at least) the third or fourth time that the Heat have pursued Durant.

The current trade discussions on Miami’s end seem to be stuck at Kel’el Ware. The Heat front office is reluctant to include their All-Rookie second team big man in negotiations.

Another successful mock trade via Spotrac, and arguably Miami’s most aggressive offer depending on how far the front office is really willing to go:

Suns receive: Kel’el Ware, Terry Rozier, Duncan Robinson, Keshad Johnson, 2025 first round pick

Heat receive: Kevin Durant

— Hot Hot Hoops (@hothothoops) June 14, 2025

The concern is despite Durant’s greatness, it would be a three-four year window with the aging star. Ware, at still just 21 years old, provides a potentially 10-15 years of budding raw talent. He has also looked like a nice complement next to Bam Adebayo in the frontcourt early on.

It’s still a legitimate possibility that the Heat’s remaining assets is enough to get a deal done without dangling Ware. But Phoenix’s persistence will be the leading factor in what they ultimately settle on to move the disgruntled Durant to South Beach.

Heat included on Kevin Durant’s list of preferred destinations

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