D id the Miami Heat have a change of heart? Or another team has jumped ahead of them in the race to acquire 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant?
The Phoenix Suns are close to trading Durant, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports reports, after reports surfaced about the Heat’s unwillingness to include Ke’lel Ware in the return package.
“A Kevin Durant deal is very close. Phoenix continues to work with multiple teams to get the deal they want and I expect it will happen today or tomorrow,” Gambadoro wrote on X on Sunday, June 22.
However, Gambadoro did not disclose which among Durant’s suitors is close to finalizing a deal to acquire the future Hall of Famer.
The Sticking Point in Kevin Durant Trade Talks
Getty Kel’el Ware was named as the “swing” piece for the Miami Heat in the Kevin Durant trade talks.
On Friday, June 20, multiple reports pointed to the Heat’s firm stance on the Durant trade talks.
“Even though the Raptors’ offer of either RJ Barrett or Immanuel Quickley alongside potentially Jakob Poeltl and draft picks is enticing, it is the Heat that league personnel are signaling as the team with a better chance at a deal. Although the two sides are not right at the finish line yet in trade talks, one player can get them there,” wrote Clutchpoints’ Brett Seigel, referring to Ware.
However, the Heat “have not firmly offered Ware in a proposed package” until that point, according to Seigel.
Fischer confirmed Seigel’s report later on Friday night.
“Miami is said to be firmly against including standout rookie center Kel’el Ware in their offers for Durant, sources say,” Fischer reported on the latest “The Stein Line” Substack newsletter.
The Suns then sent an ultimatum to the Heat.
“If Pat Riley and his front office don’t push more chips in to get Durant, a player Riley has wanted to bring to South Beach for years, they will be out, and the Suns will further their talks with the other teams interested,” Seigel wrote.
Suns Did Background Check on Andrew Wiggins
Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty ImagesAndrew Wiggins could be part of a Kevin Durant deal.
The Suns have Wednesday, June 25, the first day of the 2025 NBA Draft, as their artificial deadline for a Durant deal. They want to execute the selection of whatever draft pick they can get in the return package for the future Hall of Famer.
A Heat trade for Durant would likely involve this year’s 20th pick, which they acquired from the Golden State Warriors as part of the Jimmy Butler return package.
Andrew Wiggins, who was also part of the Butler deal, would be part of the Heat’s package for Durant, according to multiple reports.
Michael Scotto of Hoopshype reported that the Heat have done their due diligence on Wiggins.
“Regarding the Miami Heat’s interest in Kevin Durant, the franchise was interested in acquiring him before the deadline and remains interested in reuniting him with fellow Olympians Bam Adebayo and coach Erik Spoelstra.
“The Suns have done background work on Heat forward Andrew Wiggins, league sources told HoopsHype. Wiggins is owed $28.22 million this upcoming season and would likely be a part of any Heat trade package for Durant. A key factor in Miami’s chances of landing Durant could hinge on whether the franchise is willing to part with talented 21-year-old big man Kel’el Ware, who’s of interest to Phoenix,” Scotto wrote.
Heat Still Frontrunners?
The Heat are considered frontrunners by league personnel, according to Seigel, to land Durant because of Ware.
Talks between the Heat and the Suns “will reach a whole new level” if Ware is included in a revamped trade package for Durant.
“This is why many around the league who spoke with ClutchPoints view the Heat as the team that can get over the finish line the easiest,” Siegel wrote.
The Heat are on Durant’s list of preferred destinations, according to ESPN’s senior NBA insider Shams Charania, where he is willing to sign an extension. The other two are the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets.
Durant has one year and $54.7 million left in his current four-year, $190 million contract. He can sign a two-year, $112 million extension wherever he lands next. If he waits six months after the trade, he could fetch more — $124 million over two years, according to Charania.
Two more teams — Minnesota Timberwolves and Toronto Raptors — outside of Durant’s list have a puncher’s chance of landing Durant, who could be a one-year rental unless he changes his mind.
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