Rumors are starting to swirl that the Miami Heat might have an interest in going after Kevin Durant. NBA insider Marc Stein stirred the pot earlier this week with a report that if and when Durant is traded from the Phoenix Suns, the Heat are expected to be a contender (subscription required).
Making the salary work with player swaps is the easy part of pulling off a trade like this. What Miami has to decide is how much long-term value they believe they can get from this year's NBA Draft compared to a short-term window to win with Durant now.
Miami could go all in on Kevin Durant
Earlier in the week, we spelled out how the math could work out for the Heat in terms of salary. The Heat could trade away Andrew Wiggins, Duncan Robinson, and Nikola Jovic to get close to Durant's contract.
For the deal to work, though, Miami would realistically also need to trade away draft picks as well, and this is where the Heat need to decide how much they value this year's No. 20 pick in the draft.
We've been reviewing the list of prospects who would realistically be available at No. 20. Let's be clear that no one who is going to be available matches Durant, and few have the long-term projection to even come close to Durant five years down the road.
There are some players that we do like in that spot. Walter Clayton Jr. probably has the highest ceiling of players available at No. 20, though his draft stock has been slipping the past couple of weeks.
Rasheer Fleming is also super athletic and has the tools to be a great player, though his fit on Miami's roster as constructed would be a bit awkward.
Jase Richardson might be the single best option if he is still available, as his game best translates to the NBA.
Does Miami go all in?
If the sole goal is to win in 2025-26, then trade for Durant and worry about the rest later. But despite all the stats Durant keeps putting up, there is a buyer beware when it comes to getting the 15-time All-Star.
Durant will be 37 in September, and in 2022 and 2024, his team was swept in the first round of the playoffs. The Suns didn't even make the playoffs in 2025.
So is a Big Three of Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, and a 37-year-old Durant enough to get to a title?
If it is, then go for it because banners hang forever.
However, if Miami pursues this deal and trades away all its future draft capital, be aware that there are some solid players who would be helpful down the road they would be passing on.
And if Miami fails to win a title, the long-term ramifications could set the franchise back five or more years.