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NBA Rumors: 5 reasons Kevin Durant signs with the Miami Heat

By John Buhler

Jan 17, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow (20) pursued Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) around a screen set by Oklahoma City center Steven Adams (12) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow (20) pursued Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) around a screen set by Oklahoma City center Steven Adams (12) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 3, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) gestures as he dribbles the ball up court against Toronto Raptors in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) gestures as he dribbles the ball up court against Toronto Raptors in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Dwyane Wade

Though he is clearly past his prime and in the twilight of his Hall of Fame career, there is still plenty Wade can offer Durant should the Thunder small forward join forces with the great Miami shooting guard for the 2016-17 NBA season.

Wade has been a huge part of all three Miami championships to date (2006, 2012-13). Even though he’s not going to ever play in all 82 regular season games again, Wade proved that he still has the playoff magic to perform in the clutch in the NBA Playoffs. He was spectacular in stretches against the Heat’s two playoff opponents in the Charlotte Hornets and the Toronto Raptors.

Though Wade has a similar skill set to what Durant has in Oklahoma City with All-NBA point guard Russell Westbrook, Wade has three things that Westbrook doesn’t: 1.) The ability to turn it off/on. Westbrook goes all out all the time and it wears teammates out. 2.) The ability to take a backseat to a superstar if it’s his night to shine. 3.) Three NBA Championship rings. He’s essentially got every active player beat but some of the guys on the Spurs.

Durant would be taking a step back from a talent standpoint in his No. 2 changing from Westbrook to Wade on the court. However what Wade can potentially offer Durant from a veteran leadership standpoint just might be enough for things to really click upstairs for Durant to put it all and win an NBA Championship in 2017.

Next: 2. Pat Riley.

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