The NBA offseason is quickly approaching and the headline heading into it is where Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant will land.
Phoenix is expected to move on from Durant this offseason after they failed to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-20 season.
With Durant likely on the move, there have been many teams linked to the 37-year-old superstar but three teams have emerged above the rest.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Durant’s preferred landing spots are the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets and Miami Heat.
Despite this, many other teams, including the Minnesota Timberwolves, have also been linked to Durant but he has made it clear which teams he would be willing to join and potentially sign an extension with this summer.
For the Heat, they tried to land Durant at the trade deadline but failed to do so as the Suns elected to keep their star forward on their roster.
Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant (35).
Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant (35).
Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
That may change this offseason but a recent report does not bode well for Miami’s chances of landing the future Hall of Famer unless they are willing to include a key player in trade talks.
According to Suns insider John Gambadoro, the Heat are currently viewed as the least likely team in the Durant sweepstakes to land the star forward.
Phoenix has not been intrigued by Miami’s offers thus far as the Heat have been unwilling to include center Kel’el Ware in trade talks.
Of course, Ware put together an impressive rookie season with the Heat as he was even inserted into the starting lineup midway through the year next to Bam Adebayo inside.
Miami Heat center Kel'el Ware (7)
Miami Heat center Kel'el Ware (7)
Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
With the Suns in desperate need of a center, there is no doubt that they would want Miami to include Ware in trade talks for Durant but the Heat have yet to do so thus far.
If that continues to be the case, the Heat may be out of the sweepstakes for Durant as the Suns will look elsewhere to find a better trade package.