The Miami Heat reportedly refused to include Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, Haywood Highsmith, the No. 20 pick or other draft assets for Kevin Durant.
The most highly anticipated offseason move has finally happened, as the Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant has been traded to the Houston Rockets.
2-pointers this season
Miami Heat
NBA
Houston was one of Durant’s preferred trade destinations this summer, along with the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs.
However, according to Shams Charania of ESPN, any of those teams were unwilling to part with their main young cornerstone players during trade talks for Durant.
The Rockets only traded one young star, Jalen Green, to the Suns, along with Dillon Brooks and the 10th overall pick in this year’s draft.
Credit AP – Scanpix
Reportedly, the Rockets were not interested in parting ways with either Jabari Smith Jr. or Reed Sheppard.
Meanwhile, the Heat were reluctant to trade their rookie center, Kel'el Ware, in a possible deal for Durant.
Although the Heat could have offered a significantly more intriguing trade package that might have made them more attractive in trade talks—reportedly turning down an opportunity to include Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, Haywood Highsmith, the No. 20 pick, and other draft assets altogether.
Credit AFP – Scanpix
Now, with the addition of Kevin Durant, the Rockets look like legitimate championship contenders next season, having kept their core intact with Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Fred VanVleet, and Jabari Smith Jr.
Despite being in the later stages of his career, 36-year-old Durant remains highly productive, averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game this season.
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