The ongoing Kevin Durant trade saga has begun to reach a fever pitch, as several teams including the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves have explored potential blockbuster Durant deals.
With that being said, the Miami Heat could remain as the leading contender to acquire the 15-time All-Star via trade this offseason.
The Heat's team president Pat Riley is the epitome of persistence when it comes to luring big-name talents to the franchise, and he might be on the verge of his next big catch.
While the Heat's front office may be a few steps from actually agreeing to a deal in principle with the Phoenix Suns to land the legendary scorer, recent reports from NBA insider Jake Fischer have granted the team a positive update.
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35).
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35).
Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
"I think there's the most opportunity there of all the teams that Kevin Durant wants to go to, and of all the teams that are actually involved in these conversations" Fischer shared during a Thursday episode of Bleacher Report's NBA Insider Notebook.
"I'm still keeping my eye on the Heat right now."
Though it's not close to a confirmation, Fischer echoed confidence in the Heat's ability to bring in the 2-time Finals MVP.
"I think at the end of the day, right now, that's my best, educated guess as to what the outcome is going to be for Kevin Durant."
"I think Miami still has the pieces and the willingness, and are a team that KD would want to go to that could ultimately rule out and win this landscape and this sweepstakes for Kevin Durant."
Though teams like the Spurs and Rockets could overwhelm the Suns with draft picks and enticing prospects in a gargantuan haul, the Heat have stuck out due to their aggressiveness.
Riley and the Heat's front office aren't letting the opportunity to welcome an all-time talent like Durant aboard slip away, but his arrival might require the exchange of their promising 21-year-old center Kel'el Ware to the Suns.
Ware's development was an extreme bright spot for the Heat throughout what ended up being a season marred in Jimmy Butler trade drama, and seeing him go would certainly sting.
On the other hand, the chance to trade for a player of Durant's caliber does not come around often, and Riley's focus has been trained solely on completing a franchise-altering deal.