The Miami Heat wanted Kevin Durant. They called the Phoenix Suns about Durant. Then they pivoted and accepted the Golden State Warriors deal for Jimmy Butler, headlined by Andrew Wiggins and a first-round pick.
According to multiple reports, the Suns were asking for a massive package in return for Durant. Despite apron-related limitations, it was possible for the Heat to include picks, swaps and young players like Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic – maybe all of them.
“There was a window for Kevin Durant to be traded to Miami once the Warriors were out. I just think that the Sun's asking price was going to be pretty high for Durant. The Heat weren't really as motivated to offer that. I think they think Wiggins’ cost was better.” @WindhorstESPN pic.twitter.com/ihgO42mFUx
— Dru (@dru_star) February 6, 2025
The Heat balked at the ask. When it became clear that Phoenix wouldn’t budge, the Heat moved on. As former Warriors GM Bob Myers said on ESPN Thursday, “Then they didn’t want to trade him.”
Maybe that’s true. The Suns, unable to trade Bradley Beal before the deadline, were reluctant to give up the 35-year-old Durant and admit failure on their blockbuster 2023 acquisition. They reportedly took calls before Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET trade deadline, but the huge ask remained the same.
Instead, the Suns traded Jusuf Nurkic and a 2026 first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets for Cody Martin, Vasilije Micic and a 2026 second-round pick. Fringe moves to try to maximize this season.
What happens next is the interesting question and, frankly, Phoenix’s problem.
Can Durant navigate his way to Miami this summer?
After openly shopping one player, Beal, for months and taking calls on another, morale will be challenging to rebuild.
Durant is up for an extension this summer and has not publicly indicated whether he’ll sign if it’s offered. That could thrust Durant back into the middle of trade speculation this summer.
It could also reopen the door for the Heat to trade for Durant.
One of the reasons why Phoenix was able to ask for a “massive” haul for Durant is because Durant did not request a trade. Durant requesting a trade, and asking to be dealt to Miami, changes the leverage. For whatever reason, that didn’t happen before the deadline.
If the Suns fall short again and Durant has a year left on his contract, does he reconsider his future?
That’s what the Heat would need to land Durant without giving up the farm.
In terms of what a framework of a deal could look like, the Heat now have Andrew Wiggins’ salary to use to build a trade. They would have to add other contracts, but Wiggins is considered a positive asset around the league. The Heat will also have multiple first-round picks to trade this summer.
A lot has to happen for the Durant option to return to the table, but the Heat and Durant have circled each other multiple times now, dating back to his free agency in 2016. Maybe this summer is when they finally get a chance to work together.
