The Miami Heat‘s chances of landing Kevin Durant via trade have been dashed. On Sunday, June 22, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Durant had been traded to the Houston Rockets.
The deal sees the Phoenix Suns receive Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and the 10th-overall pick in the upcoming draft. As such, the Heat’s top trade target has now been taken off the board.
“BREAKING: The Phoenix Suns are trading two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft and five second-round picks, sources tell ESPN,” Charania reported via X. “The deal places Durant on the No. 2-seeded Rockets and elevates the team’s positioning for title contention in the West. The Suns land a 23-year-old scorer for a high-powered backcourt with Devin Booker, a tough 3-and-D player and now have 3 firsts and 8 seconds to use in trades.”
Miami had been heavily linked with a potential Durant trade heading into the offseason. However, Pat Riley must now pivot in an attempt to improve a roster that was swept during the opening round of the playoffs.
Heat Could Target Jonathan Kuminga
One player who could interest the Heat as a potential addition is Jonathan Kuminga out of the Golden State Warriors. According to Jake Fischer, Miami is seen as a potential destination if they strike out on a Durant trade, which has now been confirmed to be the case.
“There is a belief among some rival teams, for example, that Miami could emerge as a potential Kuminga suitor — among various guards and swingmen that the Heat could target — if Pat Riley and Co. do not win the Durant Trade Sweepstakes,” Fischer wrote on June 21.
Kuminga is a restricted free agent this summer. Therefore, Miami would need to acquire Kuminga via a sign-and-trade deal, which would hard cap the franchise for the duration of the 2025-26 season.
Heat Reportedly Hold Interest in DeRozan
Another potential trade target could be DeMar DeRozan. According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Heat are interested in adding DeMar DeRozan, who would likely be an attainable target.
“It is highly unlikely that all three of Duncan Robinson, Terry Rozier, and Andrew Wiggins begin the 2025-26 season on Miami’s roster,” Siegel reported. “DeMar DeRozan is once again viewed by other teams as a potential target for Riley and the Heat.”
DeRozan joined the Sacramento Kings last summer. However, Sacramento underwent a difficult season. They could look to flip the 6-time All-Star in return for some younger talent. Miami would be a logical landing spot for DeRozan. Erik Spoelstra would likely use him as the featured scorer in the rotation.
Furthermore, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo could then slide back into their natural positions. Herro is better served as a secondary-scoring option. Adebayo is at his best when working as a tertiary offensive piece and a primary defensive playmaker.
Losing out on Durant will hurt Miami. However, Riley now has an opportunity to take a different approach with building out the roster. And while Durant would undoubtedly have improved the Heat, there are now new avenues the front office can explore.
Who knows, maybe Miami ends up taking a gap year?
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