The Miami Heat could have had Kevin Durant, but instead, they decided to double down on their current core, leaving the Boston Celtics’ path to contention in the next three years as open as it could have been. Adding Durant could have solidified the Heat as a top threat in the East, especially with Tatum out for most (if not all) of next season, but they fumbled.
A core of Durant, Tyler Herro, and Bam Adebayo, especially one led by a coach as elite as Erik Spoelstra, would have helped Miami compete in a wide-open Eastern Conference. Instead, it’s looking like the East will remain the same, if not weaker, when Tatum gets healthy, and Durant is headed to the Houston Rockets.
That’s a huge win for the Celtics, and for fans who have leaned into the team’s rivalry with the Heat, it’s enough to spark some laughter at Miami’s expense.
What could the Heat have traded for Kevin Durant?
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Heat balked at the opportunity to trade for Durant because they didn’t want to give up the package Phoenix was asking for:
“The Suns' conversations focused on the Rockets and Heat in recent days, but both teams showed an unwillingness to part with young cornerstones such as Jabari Smith Jr. and Reed Sheppard (Houston) and Kel'el Ware (Miami) in a Durant deal, sources said. The Heat made multiple offers for Durant but ultimately turned down the opportunity to place Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, Haywood Highsmith, the No. 20 pick and other draft assets all together in a deal, sources said.”
The Heat could have traded for Durant for Jaime Jaquez, Nikola Jovic, Haywood Highsmith, and a late first-round pick. They said no…
What?
The Eastern Conference is wide-open right now. Miami has arguably the best coach in the NBA, one of the best defenders in the league, and an All-Star guard, leading the way. They could have added one of the best scorers in the history of basketball for the price of three low-end rotation players and a first-rounder (plus some extra picks).
They wouldn’t have had to give up Kel’el Ware, Andrew Wiggins, Herro, or Adebayo in the trade. They could have rolled out a starting lineup of those four guys plus Durant, with Duncan Robinson, Davion Mitchell, Kyle Anderson, and Dru Smith off the bench. Plus, they would have Terry Rozier, too (or at least his contract to dangle in another trade).
With how open the East is right now, that could have been good enough to make a deep playoff run. But Miami said no. Their stubbornness got in the way.
Now, when Tatum gets healthy and the Celtics are ready to compete again, the East is going to be in the exact same state: Weak.