NBA Trades: 5 potential suitors for Kevin Durant and Brooklyn Nets

NBA Trades: 5 potential suitors for Kevin Durant and Brooklyn Nets: 3. Miami Heat

As the other reported organization on the list of preferred destinations, the Miami Heat have identified themselves as a realistic suitor for Kevin Durant. Known for chasing stars, the Heat should express heavy interest in a campaign to acquire Durant from the Brooklyn Nets.

After falling one game short of reaching the NBA Finals this past season, Miami is close to reaching another NBA championship with this current core that they possess. However, they’ll have to offload a major chunk of their core if they’re going to land Durant.

Nobody on the Miami Heat roster should be untouchable, even star Jimmy Butler. In fact, Butler might have to be involved in any deal for Durant based on the Heat’s lack of assets. Tyler Herro, Gabe Vincent, and 2022 first-round pick Nikola Jovic are the only other players besides Butler that could interest Brooklyn.

All-Star Bam Adebayo can’t be traded to the Heat due to the Designated Rookie Extension rule unless Ben Simmons, who’s also on a rookie extension, is traded beforehand. Without Adebayo included, it seems almost impossible for Miami to trade for Durant without giving up Jimmy Butler.

It’s a tough choice to make given all that Butler has done for this organization, but the idea of adding Kevin Durant to Heat Culture alongside Bam Adebayo, Victor Oladipo, Kyle Lowry, and a strong supporting cast could be more appealing than the value of loyalty in this business-oriented league. Keep a close eye on the Miami Heat going “all-in” for Durant.