The Miami Heat received good news on Friday the 13th, as they are one of the three finalists for a blockbuster Kevin Durant this offseason.
ESPN’s senior NBA insider Shams Charania reported that the Phoenix Suns have narrowed down the list of serious suitors, which includes the Heat.
“There is some serious traction on conversations on trade scenarios with the Suns,” Charania said on Friday’s episode of the “Pat McAfee Show” in Indiana. “They’ve had about six to eight teams [who] reached out. There’s been interest, there’s been some offers. There have been some negotiations. But really, in the last 24 to 48 hours, I’m told, the focus of the Suns’ conversation has been on a few of the teams, and here they are: the Houston Rockets, the Miami Heat and the Minnesota Timberwolves. I’m told those are the three teams right now where a lot of the focus for Durant lies.”
Previously, Charania reported that the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks have also expressed interest. But that seems no longer the case, as a Durant trade could happen “potentially even sooner than seven days,” according to Charania.
Pat Riley Open to Trading for Kevin Durant
Heat president Pat Riley hinted at a potential run for Durant during his end-of-season press conference, referencing the gamble the Golden State Warriors made with Jimmy Butler that nearly pushed them to the Western Conference Finals.
“I think if you take a look at the Warriors, with Draymond [Green], Steph [Curry] and Jimmy, you’ve got three 35, 36, 37 guys,” Riley said during his end-of-season press conference. “It’s a perfect time for them.
“I think an aging great, great player who may not be able to carry a team, together they can rise to the occasion in the playoffs. Steph’s injury might hurt them [the Warriors] a little bit, but I saw something very unique with that team. For us, yes, if that player is the right name and the contract is the right length, I still think that an aging player can play. Look at LeBron [James].”
Durant, who will turn 37 this September, is still among the elite players in the league. The 15-time NBA All-Star averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 62 games.
Durant is aging gracefully, averaging at least 25 points, 50% shooting and 40% on 3-pointers in three straight seasons, the longest streak ever in the NBA, according to ESPN Research. He shot a league-best on jumpers (49.7%) and midrange shots (53.1%), which the Heat need to complement Tyler Herro‘s outside shooting and Bam Adebayo‘s inside game.
What Heat Can Offer
Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty ImagesKevin Durant continues to be linked with the Miami Heat
The Heat have three tradable first-round picks (2030, 2032 and this year’s 20th first-round pick via Warriors from the Butler trade) and two second-round picks at their disposal for significant upgrades this offseason.
They also have the expiring salaries of Terry Rozier and Duncan Robinson that can help the Suns get out of the dreaded second apron.
On top of that, they also have a group of young players Kel’el Ware and Nikola Jovic, who could intrigue the Suns as they rebuild around their franchise star Devin Booker.
Durant is owed $54.7 million next season and is on the final year of his current four-year, $190 million contract.
