Kevin Durant and the Miami Heat make another baffling trade decision that won’t surprise fans.
Kevin Durant, a standout for the Suns, was quite clear that he intended to remain in Phoenix until the NBA trade deadline in 2025. However, the most recent information indicates that Durant was only interested in joining the Heat during the current trade negotiations this season.
“Durant, however, would have been open to playing for the Heat,” the ESPN writers Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst said. According to reports, Miami considered trading Butler to Phoenix in exchange for Durant and excluding the Warriors entirely.After all, Riley had long desired Durant.
After 16 years, Durant, 36, is still among the league’s top players. He has averaged 26.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists on 52.4% shooting so far this season in 39 games. In transfer negotiations, he believed he was untouchable, but the Luka Doncic transaction let everyone realize that no star is safe.
A number of well-known athletes participated in trade talks this week prior to the deadline, including Kevin Durant. Despite not requesting a trade, Durant was the subject of speculations and even the Golden State Warriors’ possible pursuit. According to rumors, the Warriors were on the verge of signing a contract with either Jimmy Butler or Andrew Wig, but Durant snubbed it at the last second.
He was more than willing to join the Miami Heat, but he had no interest in getting back together with the Warriors. The team has a distinguished image despite the Butler fiasco, and Durant and team president Pat Riley get along well.
Durant, who is 36 years old, is only interested in playing basketball and isn’t interested in the drama that comes with being in the spotlight. He could work under Eirk Spoelstra and contribute to a team that is focused on winning with the Heat, helping to make the most of his final years.
We are aware that the Heat nearly acquired Durant this season, initially with a three-team trade that included the Suns and Warriors. However, the Heat also attempted to exclude the Warriors entirely before failing to negotiate a direct trade including Butler and Durant.
Ultimately, the Heat couldn’t commit to facing Durant and starting over, and the Warriors didn’t want to trade for a player who didn’t want to be there. The Heat are primarily young now with the Butler deal, thus it would be wise for them to go on with their new core.
Durant still has two years and $105 million left on his contract before he has choose where he will play in the NBA next. He is happy to play the remainder of his career with the Suns for the time being, but perhaps he will eventually follow in LeBron’s footsteps by taking his skills to South Beach.
