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Heat among possible landing spots for Kevin Durant

Apr 25, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) reacts during the fourth quarter of game four of the first round of the 2022 NBA playoffs against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center. The Celtics defeated the Nets 116-112 to win the best of seven series 4-0. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Heat named among possible landing spots for Kevin Durant

By Eduardo Solano | Last updated 8/9/22

The chatter about trade destinations for Kevin Durant continues. Could Miami be a landing spot for the Nets' superstar?

Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium recently reported about a meeting in London between Durant and Nets owner Joe Tsai. Durant reiterated his trade request and informed Tsai that he must choose between him or the pairing of general manager Sean Marks and coach Steve Nash, Charania wrote.

Charania cited the Heat, among other teams, as a potential landing spot for Durant.

“The Celtics, Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat remain the most significant candidates to acquire Durant, sources said, with Boston’s package centering around All-Star forward Jaylen Brown seen as a viable deal. Tsai and the Nets have made clear privately that they will take every last asset from a team that trades for Durant, sources said.”

The steep asking price for Durant is one of the reasons the Nets haven't traded him. The Nets reportedly want Bam Adebayo as part of any package with the Heat. According to Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, the Heat have not included him in offers and are "disinclined to do so.”

Which teams are after KD?

In addition to the Heat and Celtics, the Suns, Raptors and Pelicans reportedly were in the mix for Durant at some point.

The Suns can’t trade Deandre Ayton after matching a historic offer sheet from the Pacers. The Raptors don’t want to include reigning Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes in a deal. The Celtics reportedly included Jaylen Brown in a massive trade offer but the Nets rejected it.

Should the Heat trade for Durant?

Many believe the Heat, who lost in the Eastern Conference Finals to Boston, need another superstar alongside Jimmy Butler. Durant is a generational talent, but the Heat could be better off building from within.

Miami Heat | SOB Chicago Flare Slip Read

Best part of the Heat's offense is their ability to randomly screen & make plays.

Also, this from the Hawks & Trae Young is awful defensively. pic.twitter.com/mCFO2jg0Hf
— Half Court Hoops (@HalfCourtHoops) April 23, 2022

Adebayo was supposed to be their second option behind Butler, but he was not aggressive in the playoffs. Adebayo had only four games with at least 12 shot attempts.

Tyler Herro and Kyle Lowry also underperformed in the playoffs for Miami. Lowry averaged 7.8 points and shot 29.1 percent from the field. He ranked last in field goal percentage among players with at least 50 shot attempts in the playoffs.

Herro won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award after averaging 20.7 points in 66 regular-season games, but he averaged only 12.6 points in the playoffs. If Adebayo, Lowry and Herro step up in the postseason, the Heat would not need Durant.

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