Kevin Durant being traded to the Houston Rockets wasn’t the outcome the Miami Heat were hoping for. Miami was one of the three teams Durant reportedly listed as preferred destinations — alongside Houston and San Antonio — but ultimately offered the least compelling package to satisfy the Phoenix Suns.
The Heat declared Kel’el Ware, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro untouchable, meaning any trade would’ve had to center around pieces like Duncan Robinson, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Andrew Wiggins, and a few draft picks. Unfortunately for Miami, that group wasn’t enough to tempt Phoenix — or any other team seriously chasing Durant.
This situation reflects a larger, ongoing issue within the Heat organization: Pat Riley’s reluctance to recalibrate expectations. Earlier this season, Riley refused to part with Jimmy Butler unless All-Star caliber talent came back in return. That stance led to a deal centered around Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, and picks — a move that led to the Heat being swept in the first round of the playoffs.
Did Miami strike out again on a superstar? Yes. But this time, the swing-and-miss might not be such a bad thing.
The Miami Heat have a roster worth keeping
The Heat have always taken pride in building from within. Herro and Adebayo have become a capable 1-2 punch. Ware and Jaquez Jr. are emerging as high-upside rotation players. Duncan Robinson and Pelle Larsson continue to provide valuable shooting.
That’s a respectable foundation — and one that would’ve been significantly gutted in any serious attempt to land Durant. Had Miami tried to match other offers without giving up Herro or Adebayo, they likely would’ve had to strip their depth bare. That kind of trade, for a 37-year-old forward nearing the tail end of his prime, would’ve left the Heat exactly where they started: good enough to compete, but nowhere near capable of winning it all.
The risk never matched the reward
Durant remains one of the league’s elite scorers, but his championship window is shrinking. Even with the East expected to shift — with the Celtics, Pacers, and Bucks facing potential roster shakeups — the road to a Finals berth remains grueling.
Contending in today’s NBA requires more than one superstar. It demands depth, chemistry, and long-term cohesion. Miami trading half its rotation for a short-term bet on Durant may have only delayed the inevitable: another early playoff exit.
Now what? A smarter path forward
Missing out on Durant might actually allow Miami to reset with clarity. The franchise can now approach the offseason with a more measured, strategic lens. Names like Andrew Wiggins and Terry Rozier could still be moved, but only if the return enhances the team’s overall balance and trajectory — not just its star power.
Sometimes the best move is the one you don’t make. For the Heat, that might just be the case here.