Should The Miami Heat Trade For Kevin Durant?

Kevin Durant looks set to be on the move this summer, but where is the perfect destination for the power forward, and what could a trade look like?

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Going into the NBA off-season, Kevin Durant is one of the most popular names on fan's lips when it comes to a potential trade - as his future looks to be elsewhere from Phoenix.

A two-time champion, one-time MVP, and 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists averaged last season. Every team in the NBA wants a Durant. However, as the 36-year-old is nearing the end of his career, his value is diminishing, and his next move needs to be perfect.

With KD set to leave the Phoenix Suns, the Rockets, Timberwolves, and Spurs are the teams most heavily linked with the forward, but there is one team that could swoop in and be the perfect move for Durant.

But who is that team, and what could they offer the Phoenix Suns?

The Bridge Period For The Miami Heat

(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images).

Right now, many believe that Durant’s move to San Antonio is already a done deal, but why would a 36-year-old forward looking to win his third championship move to a fellow team in the deep Western Conference.

The championship-winning window is closing for the former Golden State man, and with Jayson Tatum and Damian Lillard out for prolonged periods, all is to play for in the East, with KD having an ‘easier’ route to the NBA finals by moving there.

And historically in the East, the Miami Heat are one of the biggest teams in the conference. Shaquille O’Neal, Dwayne Wade, Lebron James, and in recent times, Jimmy Butler – the Heat have had plenty of legends over the years.

However, the club now find themselves in a period of being between a rebuilding team and one that can truly compete in the playoffs.

(Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images).

Defensive-leader Bam Adebayo remains a key player in Miami, but the franchise are truly now in the hands of Tyler Herro.

A guard who since being drafted to the Heat has been fantastic, but following the departure of Jimmy Butler last season, Herro has truly stepped up, becoming an all-star in the league.

At face value, the core of Adebayo and Herro is a brilliant offensive and defensive duo that any team could build around, but to challenge and contend for a championship, they need to add a couple of top-level players, and Durant fits that bill.

What Could The Heat Trade For Durant?

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As it stands, it is very unclear in terms of a trade for the Suns star. A trade could be difficult as you are acquiring one of the league's premium players, maybe even requiring three teams, or the Suns might only demand one or two first-round picks as they look to build for the future.

Nevertheless, within this trade, three teams are involved as the Portland Trailblazers enter the deal, gaining Duncan Robinson while the Suns obtain Andrew Wiggins, Robert Williams II, and Jaime Jaquez Jr - also taking first-round picks in 2030 and 2032 for Durant.

All teams win in this trade - an already big-heavy team in the Trailblazers lose Williams II and gain a 3-level shooter in Robinson compared to the Suns, who are the most important team in this trade, gaining a fine return for Durant.

Wiggins has two years left on his deal, and he is still a player that could be a valuable asset for the Suns - they can give him two seasons and then decide on his future.

(Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images).

Alternatively, Jaquez Jr is a talented and dynamic young piece that can stay in the spine of the Suns for several years.

But the biggest thing of all for the Suns is gaining picks, and they have done this in this trade. Within the deals for Durant and Bradley Beal, Phoenix gave away a handful of picks, and the future of their franchise after a bad season has aged poorly as they have no way of flipping their disappointing roster to new young talent.

Apart from a team like the Spurs or the Raptors, it is hard to see a team being able to match a trade like this unless an immediate star like Scottie Barnes was to come in.

How Good The Heat Be With Durant?

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The trade would be a huge move for the Miami Heat. However, does the addition of Durant mean that the Heat are going to compete right away? Probably not as plenty of depth is still needed in Miami.

The NBA is no longer about having one, two, or three superstars, but it is now all about the second apron and by losing three pieces, Miami's rotation will be weakened.

But will the Heat qualify for the playoffs? In the East, it is an almost certain answer of yes, there will be a near ‘big three’ in Miami, and compared to the talents around them, the Heat will sit as one of the top teams.

Therefore, the Miami Heat should look to trade for Kevin Durant, and while it harms their depth - three all-star calibre players will connect to form the core in Long Beach, with Durant having his form shot at a third NBA championship.