As rumors continued to build for weeks, the Miami Heat officially lost out on acquiring Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets.
Durant, formerly with the Phoenix Suns, sent shockwaves through the NBA world hours before the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers play their 2025 NBA Finals Game 7 clash, hogging the spotlight as Heat fans expressed their frustration over the trade.
About to play in his 18th NBA campaign, Durant was traded to the Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the No. 10 pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA draft, as reported by NBA Insider Shams Charania. They also received five second-round picks.
While Rockets fans rejoiced at the new trade, Heat fans couldn’t help but call out team president Pat Riley.
Miami Heat Fans Fume as Houston Rockets Acquire Kevin Durant Through Blockbuster Trade
As the 2025 offseason approached, rumors swirled around Durant’s impending exit from the Suns. According to Charania, the conversation continued until the final 24 hours, the Rockets and Heat competing head-to-head.
Fans were quick to call out Riley, referring to the man as “washed.”
PAT RILEY IS WASHED MAN pic.twitter.com/JvA1TBuoYR
— Jokicism 🃏 (@jokicgoatic15) June 22, 2025
“Pat needs to retire,” another fan wrote.
Some fans, bringing up some prior promises, added: “Pat Riley and that front office been bluffing for years whenever it’s time to trade for a star.”
“Pat Riley is on the phone just to talk bro lmaooo,” another fan said.
Of course, most Heat fans wanted Riley to be fired immediately.
“Pat Riley needs to go,” one fan wrote.
“FIRE PAT RILEY,” another user demanded.
“Pat Riley gotta stop dude,” a user wrote.
Heat Reportedly Refused to Part Ways With Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic During Trade Negotiations
In his full report, Charania revealed that both the Heat and Rockets refused to part ways with “young cornerstones.” This includes the Rockets’ Jabari Smith and Reed Sheppard and the Heat’s Kel’el Ware.
Miami, however, was apparently unwilling to part with players like Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, and Haywood Highsmith, along with their No. 20 draft pick and other relevant assets.
Shams: Heat wouldn’t include Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, Haywood Highsmith, No. 20 pick or other draft assets in deal for Kevin Durant.
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) June 22, 2025
As mentioned, fans seemed particularly confused by the Heat’s priorities, ranking Durant above Highsmith and Jovic.
Despite some conversation around Durant’s age (36) and failure to win a title after leaving the Golden State Warriors in 2019, there’s no doubt about his ability to catapult a team into NBA playoff contention.
Durant, who averaged 26.6 points, six rebounds, and 4.2 assists during the 2024-25 season, will be a capable playmaker and mentor to the young Rockets team.
While the Suns will look to restructure and move on with Devin Booker, the Rockets have a real chance to turn their next season around.
The Heat, however, have missed another chance to make the most of the opportunity presented.