NBA trade rumors: Ranking the teams most likely to land Kevin Durant
By Josh Wilson
Teams most likely to acquire Kevin Durant: The likelies
These teams have a good chance of landing the former MVP.
3. Miami Heat
It’s somewhat fatiguing to see the Miami Heat reported when virtually any All-Star caliber player is up for grabs via free agency or trade.
Miami’s interests seem to be split between the Jazz (for Donovan Mitchell) and Nets, and if anything keeps them from landing Durant, it might be a deal with the Jazz materializing faster, so long as the Knicks don’t swoop in first.
Miami can offer Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson who have proven themselves to be “win-now”, along with budding players like Max Strus or Gabe Vincent. But none of those four players are franchise leaders right now.
The other substantial roadblock to a deal involving Miami is that the team does not want to involve Bam Adebayo in a deal according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald (subscription required).
Without Bam, and with Miami splitting their interests between Mitchell and Durant, it feels less likely Durant ends up in South Beach than the following two teams.
2. Boston Celtics
The Celtics and Nets, reportedly, have had serious talks about a trade. There isn’t common ground at this point on what a deal will look like, and according to Charania, the Nets most recently countered with Boston asking for Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, a rotation player, and draft picks.
Honestly, that sounds like a fair deal. It allows you to pair Jayson Tatum and Kevin Durant without having to give up Malcolm Brogdon, Grant Williams, Robert Williams III, or Al Horford.
Again, Brooklyn has every reason to be patient, and they should feel confident about the offer on the table with the Celtics. It’s only a matter of time before they could come around, provided another team doesn’t swoop in in the meantime.