NBA Free Agency Rumors: Heat optimistic they can sign Kevin Durant
By Tom West
It’s been reported that the Miami Heat are oddly optimistic in NBA free agency so far as they believe they can sign Kevin Durant.
Everyone needs to be optimistic that their team can sign Kevin Durant in NBA free agency. From desperate Lakers fans still praying they can get a meeting to Warriors and Thunder officials who have met with him already, optimism is key. Luring Durant away from the Oklahoma City Thunder is no easy task and it’s still expected that he stays put. So, if teams need a little optimism to carry themselves through the start of free agency and believe it can happen, it’s not surprising.
However, Ethan J. Skolnick of The Miami Herald has reported that there is an odd level of optimism coming from the Heat. Whether or not it’s wishful thinking or genuine is something we can’t know.
There's been an odd optimism in Heat circles about Durant pursuit. I say odd, b/c it seemed/still seems a longshot. But I keep hearing it.
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) July 1, 2016
That being said, one development in regards to Hassan Whiteside re-signing is surely a reason for their positivity.
Skolnick also reported that Whiteside’s deal isn’t necessarily a four-year max equalling $98 million. Instead, he’s willing for there to be some wiggle room for adjustment if Durant wants to come to Miami.
New info on Whiteside deal: it's not necessarily a 4 for $98M max. He agreed to some wiggle room if Durant wants to come.
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) July 1, 2016
Perhaps, if Durant doesn’t choose the Heat, that extra wiggle room will be used to help come to an agreement with a new large deal for Dwyane Wade. Reports have emerged that Wade has been unhappy with the way the organization has handled his contract situation so far, which could help Whiteside’s contract come into play.
If we put Wade aside for a minute, though, it’s still obvious that — just like everyone else — Durant is the top priority for the Heat.
Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald has reaffirmed that’s still the case, adding that creating cap space through trades of players such as Goran Dragic ($15.8 million next season) and Josh McRoberts ($5.7 million next season) is an option.
Absolutely not. Heat still all-in on Durant. If Durant wants to come here, can create space by trading Goran/Josh Mc https://t.co/tURoJxMfeA
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) July 1, 2016
We’ll simply have to wait and see how this saga turns out. In the meantime, the Heat and their fans will need to force themselves to forget what happened the last time they felt optimistic about a certain small forward (*cough* LeBron James) staying in Miami.
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