Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant experienced another first-round exit in the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Durant’s Suns were swept 4-0 by a talented Minnesota Timberwolves squad. Many things factored into Phoenix’s lack of postseason success. Yet, should the Suns trade Durant, the Miami Heat will have a good chance to land him.
If Phoenix moves on from Durant, the Heat are the betting favorite to land him with odds of +300, per BetOnline.
Durant has only been with the Suns for a year and a half. The Brooklyn Nets traded the star forward to Phoenix in February of 2023 shortly after his former teammate Kyrie Irving was shipped to the Dallas Mavericks. In Durant’s first year, the Suns were able to advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs but lost 4-1 to the eventual champion Denver Nuggets.
One year later, Durant and his team suffered an earlier exit at the hands of Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves. Phoenix’s big three of Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal could not generate enough two-way force to resist Minnesota, leading to their sweep. Could this mean Durant will ask out again?
The 35-year-old knows his time to win a championship is running out. He wants to be in the best position for success. Will joining the Heat increase his chances?
Miami found itself in a similar situation to the Suns. After earning the eighth seed in the East, the Heat faced the juggernaut Boston Celtics. Miami put up a good fight but lost the series 4-1. One of the biggest factors in the Heat’s defeat was the health of Jimmy Butler. Butler suffered an MCL injury during the team’s first-round NBA Play-In loss to the Philadelphia 76ers and could not play against Boston.
With Butler healthy, Miami is poised for another deep run. Kevin Durant would be a big-time addition to an already-sounding Heat squad.
How would Kevin Durant fit with the Heat?
One of Durant’s most coveted skills is his scoring ability. The 35-year-old comes off a 2023-24 season with averages of 27.1 points per game and 41.3 percent accuracy on three-pointers. Durant would add an immediate scoring boost to Miami.
However, there is one concern Durant’s presence would bring: how would he mesh beside Jimmy Butler? Butler and Durant play the same position, but thankfully, their skill sets would complement each other. Durant can maintain his offensive mentality and thrive as a stretch four. Meanwhile, Butler could continue to facilitate the offense, slash, and focus on defense more.
The combination of Durant’s offense with Butler and Bam Adebayo’s defense might push the Heat over the edge. It is fun to entertain the idea of Durant in Miami, but the Heat are arguably on the fringe of another deep run without his help.
Miami advanced to the 2023 NBA Finals but lost 4-1 to the Denver Nuggets. They essentially had the same squad as 2023-24. Once Butler and Terry Rozier get healthy, Miami has a real chance to do damage in the East. With Erik Spoelstra at the helm, it seems like there is nothing the Heat cannot do.
All in all, it will be interesting to see if Durant sticks things out with the Suns or finds a new home in Miami or elsewhere after his tough run in the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
