Heat Face Tough Choice: Keep Young Star or Land Durant?

Miami Beach, USA - The buzz around the NBA is heating up as the Phoenix Suns are actively seeking a trade for superstar Kevin Durant ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft. Amidst this whirlwind, the Miami Heat have emerged as a potential landing spot for the 36-year-old forward. However, negotiations are proving to be a tough nut to crack, as the Heat are firmly opposed to including center Kel’el Ware in any trade package for Durant, according to Sportsnaut.

The stakes are high: Durant, with a hefty contract cap hit of $54.708 million for the 2025-26 season, has been averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, with impressive shooting percentages. While the Suns anticipated a bidding war for Durant, they are facing challenges due to his age and lengthy injury history. Negotiations are expected to stretch beyond the draft as both teams weigh their options.

Contentious Negotiations

Miami’s front office, led by President Pat Riley, is known for its firm stance in trade discussions. Past negotiations for players like Damian Lillard and Donovan Mitchell have revealed Riley’s reluctance to part with younger talent. In this case, the Heat wish to keep the promising 21-year-old Ware, who has become a focal point in trade talks. The Suns, on the other hand, are keenly interested in acquiring him as part of any deal for their star player, as reported by Sports Illustrated.

If Ware remains off the table, the Suns are likely to shift their focus to future first-round draft picks from Miami. The Heat still possess all their first-round picks except for 2027, affording them a bit of leverage in these discussions. However, the pressure is mounting, especially after a disappointing 37-45 season that saw them exit the playoffs in the first round for the second straight year.

Potential Roster Moves

In addition to Durant, the Heat are evaluating Cody Martin, a forward for the Suns, as a potential target. Both Marc Stein and Jake Fischer have reported that multiple teams have shown interest in Martin, who has family ties to the Heat through his twin brother, Caleb Martin, former Miami player. Cody had a solid season, averaging 6.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2 assists over 53 games.

The possibility of adding Martin is especially enticing for the Heat as they work to bolster their roster and improve their standings in the Eastern Conference. Miami is looking to enhance depth through smart trades, and bringing in somebody like Martin could certainly pay off. After trading star guard Jimmy Butler earlier in the season, the Heat are eager to rebuild and make a significant impact in the upcoming season.

As the clock ticks down to the draft, all eyes will remain on these negotiations. Will the Heat find a way to snag Durant without surrendering their young star? The coming weeks promise to be eventful for Miami fans eager for exciting new talent on their beloved team.