Kevin Durant may finally be warming up to the team that has been circling him for nearly a decade now.
Miami outlet Five Reasons Sports reported on Saturday that the Phoenix Suns star Durant shares mutual interest with the Miami Heat. The report comes in the wake of widespread expectations that the Suns will trade away the former MVP Durant this offseason.
Earlier this week, Heat president Pat Riley also said in a press conference that the team would be willing to make a trade for an aging star if the situation was right. While Riley did not specifically mention Durant, plenty speculated that the 36-year-old would fit that billing for Miami.
Durant is entering the final season of his contract next year at $54.7 million, making him easier to trade. As for the Heat, they were swept out of the first round this season but have a decent duo of 20-somethings in Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo who could use a third veteran piece to complete the puzzle (essentially to fill the Jimmy Butler role).
It should also be noted that Miami has already pursued Durant multiple times before. In 2016, the Heat were in the sweepstakes for Durant and even landed a free agent meeting with him before Durant ultimately signed with the Golden State Warriors. Miami has also made attempts to trade for Durant before, including in 2022 ahead of the Brooklyn Nets sending Durant to Phoenix instead.
The sweepstakes for the 15-time NBA All-Star Durant, who continues to average over 26 points per game on efficient shooting, will obviously be a hotly-contested one. But with some rumored Durant suitors already doing just fine without him, the Heat could have a prime opportunity to swoop in here.
