The Kevin Durant trade rumors were a major part of the discourse around the NBA trade deadline this past season. However, no deals came to pass, even though the Phoenix Suns couldn’t turn their year around. Now, three teams stand at the front of the line surrounding a move for the two-time NBA Champion.
Between the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and the Miami Heat, one team feels like the odd one out, and not just because of its conference. According to the latest reports, the Heat are also offering some resistance in potential trades, with one player completely off the board.
Kevin Durant to Miami in Jeopardy? Heat Against Losing Core Young Piece
There aren’t many teams across the association that would argue against adding Kevin Durant, even as he inches closer to 40. He remains one of the most potent offensive weapons in the league and can provide a bucket at any time or place.
However, for the Heat, it’s all about their culture. Ever since the glory days of Dwyane Wade, Pat Riley, and the entire organization has leaned into their calling card, relying on fit and heart more than name value.
It hasn’t always gone their way, with the insistence fracturing their run with Jimmy Butler, eventually forcing him to the Golden State Warriors. But it looks like they aren’t willing to sell the farm to add a former MVP in KD.
Senior NBA insiders Jake Fischer and Marc Stein, on the latest episode of the Stein Line, broke down the news coming out of the East Coast. “Miami is said to be firmly against including Kel’el Ware in their offers for KD, sources say.”
“Miami is said to be firmly against including Kel’el Ware in their offers for KD, sources say. Without Ware in a theoretical trade, PHX is presumed to be seeking future first-round draft capital from Miami to help deliver KD to South Beach at long last.” https://t.co/fEpU2ySnR7 pic.twitter.com/iD0RxgHz7F
— Dru (@dru_star) June 21, 2025
After an unusual two-year career at the collegiate level, splitting time between Oregon and Indiana, Ware landed in Miami as the 15th overall pick in 2024. He put together a solid rookie campaign on the back of his excellent defensive potential that made him an All-Defensive Team member in the Big Ten.
Earning a spot on the All-Rookie second team, he averaged 9.3 points and 7.4 rebounds while showing prowess as a shooter at 31.5% from 3-point range. He was immediately a force on defense as well, averaging 1.7 stocks a night.
He gained high praise for his play against the Atlanta Hawks in the second Play-In game, scoring 12 points without missing a shot, while adding eight rebounds and a block to his tally. Unfortunately, he didn’t get much run against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs.
In a shade over 18 minutes, he put up just 4.8 points and rebounds apiece. Still on his rookie deal, Miami holds a team option for the final two years to increase his contract to a four-year deal worth $20,466,072.
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With the Heat likely banking on his potential, it makes a trade for Durant that much more unlikely for the three-time NBA Champions.
As Fischer and Stein continued, “Without Ware in a theoretical trade, PHX is presumed to be seeking future first-round draft capital from Miami to help deliver KD to South Beach at long last.” Thankfully, Miami has all of its first-round picks from 2028 onwards.
With Durant on the other side of 40 by then, it might be a safe bet for the Suns to assess the value of those picks. However, without a key player to facilitate the move, bringing Durant to the Heat is likely to require a substantial investment.
