While the Houston Rockets made a series of savvy moves to push themselves into sure-fire contender status, none were as flashy as the Kevin Durant trade. Giving up Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the tenth-overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, the Rockets acquired the former MVP from the Phoenix Suns.
At the time of the trade, how little it took for the Rockets to convince the Suns was a major talking point. The fact that general manager Rafael Stone didn't have to include Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, or even Reed Sheppard in the deal took many NBA watchers by surprise. Why other teams that want to become contenders didn't do more to beat Houston's offer was certainly baffling.
It turns out that the Miami Heat actively decided against beating the Rockets' offer despite having serious interest in Durant.
Rockets Took Advantage of the Rest of NBA's Big Kevin Durant Mistake
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported this week that the Heat were in talks with the Suns over the summer, but ultimately "opted not to include Kel’el Ware (whom the Suns particularly coveted) or Nikola Jovic, combined with a first-round pick swap (in addition to several other players and a 2025 first-round pick)".
For many teams, not trading for Durant is understandable. The former MVP is entering his age-37 season and is on an expiring contract. For the Heat, however, not giving up the required trade package to acquire KD was a big mistake.
The Heat are nowhere near championship contention right now. Their core of Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, and Andrew Wiggins gives them a play-in floor and ceiling, the dreaded NBA limbo that no team wants to be in. The addition of Durant would have catapulted them to the top in a weak Eastern Conference.
Ware and Jovic are solid young players. Ware has especially displayed intriguing two-way potential as a rookie. He may have some future All-Star potential. While holding onto him may be understandable, being unwilling to give up Jovic for Durant is an unforgivable decision by Pat Riley and the Heat front office.
One team's mistake, however, is another's opportunity. The Rockets gladly pounced on the opportunity and gave themselves the best chance to win a championship since the James Harden era.
Trading for an aging Durant obviously has its risks, but those are easily overshadowed by how much KD raises a team's ceiling and how little the Rockets had to give up. Rockets fans not only have to thank their own front office for this, but also Miami's.