The Kevin Durant sweepstakes have seemingly received little update since the superstar forward requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets.
With his initial preferred destination reportedly being the Phoenix Suns, many felt as if a trade between Phoenix and Brooklyn would get done.
Several reports have now indicated such a deal is no longer likely, with DeAndre Ayton’s recent contract making him ineligible to be traded this offseason. Talk of Miami being among “the most determined” teams to acquire Durant seems to be easing now as well.
Celtics offer
With the level of uncertainty surrounding the Kevin Durant situation, fans across the league are constantly seeking the latest updates. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski earlier this week reported that the Boston Celtics had offered a package centered on All-Star forward Jaylen Brown in exchange for Kevin Durant.
While Wojnarowski reported that Brooklyn declined the initial offer, he also added that a player of Brown’s caliber would likely not be on the table in other offers.
With focus shifting to the Boston Celtics as a realistic suitor for Kevin Durant, another team perceived to have the necessary assets to facilitate a trade – Miami – has remained idle. Rumored to have interest in both Kevin Durant and Donovan Mitchell, the Heat are reportedly moving forward with their current roster for next season.
Miami interest
In a recent article, Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald reported that the Brooklyn Nets are currently not interested in Miami’s offer for Durant, and while the Heat could revisit a deal later, they are currently moving forward with their current roster.
While Miami may have been on Durant’s initial list of preferred destinations, Brooklyn’s asking price has made a deal unlikely.
Disinterested in including All-Star center Bam Adebayo, the Heat cannot currently match other offers that the Nets have received for Durant. Additionally, Adebayo could not be on the same roster as Ben Simmons, due to the NBA’s Designated Rookie Extension Rule.
While Miami may have been on Durant’s initial list of preferred destinations, Brooklyn’s asking price has made a deal unlikely. With each of these factors decreasing the likelihood of a deal between Brooklyn and Miami, the Heat are reportedly content moving forward with the current group of players.
As teams around the NBA continue to fall short of Brooklyn’s historic asking price for Kevin Durant, there is a sense that any potential deal could take significant time to complete.
With Durant under contract for four more seasons, the Nets possess leverage that teams with disgruntled superstars do not usually possess. For this reason, there is no indication that Brooklyn will reduce their current asking price, which exceeds what teams like the Miami Heat are willing to meet.
