Stephen A. Smith recently shared which NBA team should be most desperate to land Kevin Durant this offseason. After the Phoenix Suns heavily underperformed and missed the playoffs, many believe it’s only a matter of time, and the right trade, before Durant is on the move.
Durant is a highly accomplished star and considered by many to be one of the greatest scorers in league history. There’s no doubt he’ll draw interest, with several teams likely looking to bring him in to improve their chances of contending. But the question remains: which team wants him the most?
Can Kevin Durant Help the Miami Heat Get Back to the NBA Finals?
After Jimmy Butler’s departure to the Golden State Warriors, the Miami Heat seem like a shell of their former selves. Even with stars like Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, the Heat were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the First Round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Now, the organization is likely looking for a player to replace Butler, and Durant could be the perfect fit. Smith believes Durant can lead Miami back to the NBA Finals and possibly to a championship. He made his stance clear in a recent interview.
“Well, I think the team that desperately needs him more than any of them is the Miami Heat. They really don’t have anything. They really don’t have a star. They need somebody who’s a number one option on the offensive side of the ball. Bonafide number one option in South Beach and that’s what Kevin Durant is.”
.@stephenasmith shares his thoughts on the best destination for Kevin Durant 👀 pic.twitter.com/njS6PJiNco
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 13, 2025
With a strong roster and experienced coach, there’s no doubt Durant could thrive in Miami’s system. The team has reached the NBA Finals twice in recent years but couldn’t finish the job either time.
Adding Durant might change that. Still, Smith said the Heat should only pursue a trade if they can keep their core intact and avoid giving up too much.
Durant is in the final year of a four-year deal worth just over $194 million. That could give Miami some leverage, making it possible to land him without losing major pieces. Whether the Heat make their move or another team outbids them remains to be seen. The Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets have also been heavily linked to Durant, though the Wolves may have salary issues if the trade needs to be made before July.