4 days Ago By Jonah Kubicek, NBA Analysis Network
The Miami Heat and Washington Wizards are on two vastly different trajectories, but they both could make a run at adding a superstar. After missing even the NBA Play-In tournament , the Phoenix Suns are expected to clear house. Mike Budenholzer has already been fired , Kevin Durant is expected to be traded, and the Suns could even move on from Devin Booker and buy out Bradley Beal.
The Suns are expected to work with Durant and his camp to find a compatible landing spot for their star. He only has one season left on his contract and could very easily tell teams he won’t sign an extension, basically choosing his own destination. All signs point to the Suns trying to target at least three first-round draft picks and a quality young player for Durant.
Teams like the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and Minnesota Timberwolves have all emerged as possible landing spots, although former player and coach Keyon Dooling thinks there are two dark horse landing spots for Durant. Miami Heat could go all-in on winning a title After trading away Jimmy Butler, the Miami Heat took a clear step back. However, Bam Adebayo is a solid center, rookie Kel’el Ware has shown elite flashes , and Tyler Herro finally made an All-Star Game and has taken a new step.
The Heat have avoided rebuilding since Dwyane Wade retired and actually made two Finals appearances in recent years, and Pat Riley has made it clear that he has no plans to tank next season. “I would think Miami would try to make a move to get a superstar down here,” predicted Dooly on All The Smoke. “At some point, Pat Riley always tries to make a move and manoeuvre, especially on the cusp of Jimmy going a different direction.
” The Heat could offer Terry Rozier, Duncan Robinson, Jaime Jaquez Jr., first-round picks in 2029 and 2031, and a swap in 2028 for Durant. If that’s not enough, they could toss Pelle Larsson into the deal.
By keeping Andrew Wiggins, Herro, and Adebayo, the Heat would add a scoring superstar into the fold, and it would be hard to imagine them not being in the mix. They likely would have to add a true point guard, although Herro has shown flashes as a facilitator. Durant could come home to Washington Durant grew up in awe of Vince Carter and the Toronto Raptors, but he is long overdue for a homecoming to the Washington, DC area.
He grew up in Maryland and Virginia around the DMV, and he could end his career where he grew up. The Washington Wizards have plenty of young talent, and Durant could end his career helping his hometown team finally start to compete again. “Don’t be surprised if the Wizards get the number one pick, they get Cooper Flagg and maybe KD goes back home, that’s a sleeper as well,” proclaimed Dooling.
“I don’t know where he will go, I just want him to be somewhere he can just hoop, and build on his legacy.” The Wizards will have two picks in the 2025 draft, their own and one from the Memphis Grizzlies. Washington could offer Jordan Poole, Corey Kispert, Saddiq Bey, and three distant picks for Durant, but it’s hard to imagine them parting ways with either 2025 selection.
If the Wizards are able to add both Flagg and Durant to a young core of Bilal Coulibaly, Alexandre Sarr , Bub Carrington, and Kyshawn George, they likely won’t yet be in playoff consideration next season, but they would cement themselves as a team to watch. Durant has never been publicly sentimental about his time growing up in the DC area, though, and likely wouldn’t allow a trade to the worst team in the league. This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.
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