Since leaving the Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant has yet to reach the conference semifinals. His latest stab at making a deep playoff run this season came to an abrupt end after the Minnesota Timberwolves showed the Phoenix Suns the broom.
Whether he likes it or not, Durant has to begin addressing where his future lies, especially since his offseason has to start early. The Suns also have to deal with questions of how they can improve their roster when they have no cap space or trade assets. As such, speculations about KD's time in Phoenix coming to a close have already emerged. He has even already been linked to a usual trade suspect: the Miami Heat .
"There are a few teams that should come up," one Western Conference executive said of potential Durant trade partners. "The Heat would be a favorite."
The Heat again?
The Heat are known for many things, and two of them are their oft-discussed culture and affinity for big fish hunting.
Over the years, Miami has shown interest in stars or has been tabbed as a favorite to land any of them in the trade market. For instance, when Donovan Mitchell and Damian Lillard were made available by their respective former teams, the Heat immediately appeared on a lot of people's radars.
Even when Durant asked for a trade from the Brooklyn Nets in 2022, Miami was among his preferred destinations.
So, it isn't a wonder that the Heat would pop up in rumors again, even if it hasn't been a week since the Suns were eliminated and Miami is still alive in the playoffs.
Why not Booker or Beal?
Some might also be wondering why it's KD whose future in the Valley of the Sun is being thrown into question and not his co-stars Devin Booker or Bradley Beal. Perhaps the rumors of dysfunction within the organization and that the two-time champion never felt comfortable with the team's offensive playbook played a role in his potential exit from Phoenix.
It's also worth noting that Durant may be the most viable trade candidate out of the Big 3 because he is already 35 years old, and it might be the best time for the Suns to cash in by shipping him away and recouping the assets they lost when they acquired him from the Nets.
Moreover, the Suns might prefer not to deal Booker away, given that he is the franchise cornerstone, and they might have no choice but to hold onto Beal, who is notably the only current player with a no-trade clause.
The likely outcome for the Suns is that they will retain the three stars and hopefully try to learn from their mistakes this season. Whether that is the right decision is up for debate.
Related: "It was weird"- Isaiah Thomas slammed the Suns for giving Devin Booker 'the most points possible' during his 70-point feat
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