The Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat both endured underwhelming 2024-25 campaigns.
Despite a star-studded trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, the Suns failed to reach even the play-in tournament, leading to the dismissal of head coach Mike Budenholzer after just one season.
In Miami, the situation wasn’t much better. The Heat made the playoffs but were swept in the first round by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The season was further shaken when Jimmy Butler requested a trade, eventually being dealt to the Golden State Warriors.
The Suns are widely expected to explore trade options for top prospect this offseason, and one NBA analyst believes the Miami Heat should make a strong push for the future Hall of Famer, who is entering the final year of his contract.
Sam Quinn of CBS Sports recently proposed a three-team trade involving the Suns, Heat, and Portland Trail Blazers that would send Durant to Miami. Here’s the framework of the trade Quinn suggested:
Here’s the full breakdown of the proposed three-team trade from Sam Quinn of CBS Sports:
- Suns receive: Andrew Wiggins, Robert Williams III, Nikola Jović, 2030 first-round pick (via Miami), 2032 first-round pick (via Miami)
- Heat receive: Kevin Durant
- Trail Blazers receive: Duncan Robinson
Kevin Durant had another strong individual season in 2024-25, averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 52.7% from the field, 43.0% from three-point range, and 83.9% from the free-throw line. Despite the Suns’ struggles, Durant remains one of the NBA’s most efficient and dangerous scorers. He turns 37 in September, which adds some urgency for contenders like Miami to capitalize on his remaining prime.
“So, is Durant worth it? The answer is yes, at least if Kel’el Ware continues to grow as the team hopes,” Sam Quinn wrote. “That might not be the case if the Boston Celtics were still at full power, but, with apologies to the Indiana Pacers, the Eastern Conference throne is vacant right now.”
Quinn suggests that Miami acquiring Durant is a justifiable gamble—especially with the East more wide open following Boston’s potential decline. If young talent like Ware develops as expected, the addition of Durant could vault the Heat back into true title contention.
“There is no obvious juggernaut holding it. A team built around Tyler Herro, Durant and Bam Adebayo would have a real chance to seize it,” Quinn continued. “That chance would rise significantly if Ware takes a major step or if the shooting Davion Mitchell showed with the Heat last season persists. Miami always develops depth.”
Kevin Durant, a future Hall of Famer, boasts career averages of 27.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.4 assists across stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, and Phoenix Suns.
Kevin Durant won two NBA championships and two Finals MVPs during his time with the Golden State Warriors, but he hasn’t returned to the Finals since departing for the Brooklyn Nets in 2019.
As the offseason approaches, all eyes are on where Durant might land next. He was connected to the Miami Heat ahead of the February trade deadline, and with major roster changes looming across the league, his next destination will be one of the most compelling storylines of the summer.