The Miami Heat are confirmed to acquire veteran star now that the Phoenix Suns have reportedly lowered their trade demands (subscription required). With Jimmy Butler gone, Miami has a clear void for a primary scorer. However, landing a superstar won’t come easy—Miami dealt its 2027 first-round pick for Terry Rozier and lacks an abundance of young assets. Other teams are better positioned to land someone like Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the Heat have a history of pulling off unexpected blockbuster deals.
That’s what makes the latest KD trade buzz so intriguing. The Suns paid a hefty price to acquire top star and likely won’t get equal value in return. While still playing at an elite level, Durant is 36 with an injury history that could give teams pause. Phoenix is reportedly trying to reclaim its picks from Houston, but the Rockets aren’t budging. Eventually, the Suns may have to accept the best available offer.
Miami could present him with a competitive roster led by Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. Pat Riley has a proven track record of constructing championship-caliber teams. While Herro just made his first All-Star team, his stock may be fading, making this a prime moment for Miami to leverage his value and go all-in. With the Eastern Conference wide open, the Heat could capitalize by bringing in Durant.
The Miami Heat could piece together a trade package for Kevin Durant by combining the salaries of Andrew Wiggins, Duncan Robinson, and Nikola Jovic to get close to Durant’s \$54.7 million cap hit. A deal of this magnitude would likely involve a third team to balance the financials. Crucially, Miami would aim to retain both Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo while offering Jovic and three first-round picks—including the No. 20 selection in the 2025 draft—to outbid other teams.
Kel’el Ware might be the key to unlocking a deal. The Heat are high on the 21-year-old after a strong rookie year, but if including him helps reduce the number of draft picks in the trade, Miami should still pull the trigger.
Being all-in doesn’t require emptying the entire asset chest—just enough to present the strongest offer. If that means parting with both Ware and Jovic, it’s a price worth paying for a legitimate chance to win the East in 2026 with a proven superstar.
Miami would still need to re-sign Davion Mitchell and make key free agent moves to fill out the roster. With Jayson Tatum potentially out for the entire 2025-26 season, the Eastern Conference is wide open. A core of Durant, Bam, and Herro could form the top trio in the East—but would the supporting cast be strong enough to outlast Indiana, Cleveland, or New York? At the very least, it would put the Heat firmly back in the contender conversation.
While Miami would love to land Giannis Antetokounmpo, they simply lack the trade assets. Durant is the more realistic superstar target. Pulling off a trade for him could be their best shot at title contention next season. It would require bold moves, but if history is any indication, Pat Riley isn’t afraid to swing big. Keep an eye on this one—KD could be headed to South Beach before the 2025-26 season tips off.