Kevin Durant, Suns, Heat
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Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets.
The Miami Heat are the clear frontrunners in the Kevin Durant trade talks among league personnel, Clutchpoints’ Brett Seigel reported on Friday, June 20.
“Even though the Raptors’ offer of either RJ Barrett or Immanuel Quickley alongside potentially Jakob Poeltl and draft picks is enticing, it is the Heat that league personnel are signaling as the team with a better chance at a deal. Although the two sides are not right at the finish line yet in trade talks, one player can get them there,” Seigel wrote.
Kel’el Ware.
It is not the first time that Ware has been reported as the player who is keeping the Heat from getting a Durant deal to the finish line.
Getty Kel’el Ware was named as the “swing” piece for the Miami Heat in the Kevin Durant trade talks.
Last week, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported the same for “The Stein Line” Substack newsletter.
“Miami’s ultimate willingness to surrender Kel’el Ware, given the Suns’ noted hole at center, could be the true swing factor in the Heat’s Durant pursuit. In February, it was clear: Sources say Miami was unwilling at the trade deadline to part with either of its recent first-round draft successes: Ware or Jaime Jacquez Jr. Could that change now after Miami fell so flat in the playoffs with its post-Butler roster?” Fischer wrote.
Heat Remain Firm
Talks between the Heat and the Suns “will reach a whole new level” if Ware is included in a revamped trade package for Durant.
“This is why many around the league who spoke with ClutchPoints view the Heat as the team that can get over the finish line the easiest,” Siegel wrote.
However, the Heat have been unwilling to surrender Ware, according to Seigel.
“If Pat Riley and his front office don’t push more chips in to get Durant, a player Riley has wanted to bring to South Beach for years, they will be out, and the Suns will further their talks with the other teams interested,” Seigel wrote.
Fischer confirmed Seigel’s report later on Friday night.
“Miami is said to be firmly against including standout rookie center Kel’el Ware in their offers for Durant, sources say,” Fischer reported on the latest “The Stein Line” Substack newsletter.
Will Pat Riley Flinch?
Pat Riley, Heat
Getty Pat Riley will be active this offseason to overhaul the Miami Heat roster.
According to Seigel, Andrew Wiggins and Ware would headline the framework of potential Heat package for Durant should they include the center fresh off an outstanding rookie campaign.
The 7-foot Ware was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team after averaging 9.3 points on 55.4% shooting and 7.4 rebounds in 22.2 minutes. Wiggins was part of the return package the Heat received from the Warriors for Jimmy Butler.
On top of getting Ware, there is one more Suns’ goal in a Durant trade.
“Whatever happens, the Suns have signaled that they want to move out of the tax aprons altogether, which is why multiple teams will be involved to help take on unwanted salary,” Seigel wrote.
With one year and $54.7 million left on his four-year, $190 million deal, Durant is a flight risk after in what could be a one-year rental. Fortunately for the Heat, they are one of the three teams that Durant is willing to commit long-term should they trade for him, ESPN’s senior NBA insider Shams Charania reported. The other two are the San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets.
Both Texas teams have been reluctant to go all-in on Durant because of his possible awkward fit with their very young timeline.
The Durant trade is for the Heat to lose.