Kevin Durant’s announcement last week that he would remain with the Brooklyn Nets for 2022-23 will have massive ramifications for multiple franchises.
First, the Nets obviously get to keep their best player. That’ll ensure championship contention next season. Beyond that, though – all the teams that were chasing Durant now have to move to Plan B.
One of those teams was the Miami Heat.
At one point, according to ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Heat were the “most determined” suitor to ultimately get Durant. According to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel, however, Miami is now shifting gears.
“First, I’m still not sold that the Kevin Durant issue is settled,” Winderman noted.
“Yes, perhaps for the moment, but the Nets’ first five regular-season games are against the Pelicans, Raptors, Grizzlies, Bucks, Mavericks. Let’s first see how adversity is handled, if Kyrie Irving remains mercurial, and if Ben Simmons gets to and stays on the court. The Nets’ statement was mere words. Let’s wait on the actions, considering just three weeks ago Durant wanted Steve Nash and Sean Marks gone.
“But, yes, if there was any hesitancy about including an asset for Mitchell, that now could change. Still, I’m not sold on Tyler Herro plus additional sweeteners for Donovan Mitchell. That still feels somewhat excessive.”
It came out this week that Mitchell has three preferred NBA trade destinations should Utah opt to move him. Miami is one of them.
With that mutual interest, there is at least a potential building block to get something done. Whether that turns into anything more in the coming days and weeks remains to be seen.
The Heat, without any crazy moves, have a roster capable of making it to the NBA Finals. They came within a game of doing it this past season.
Will they attempt to acquire Mitchell to put themselves over the top?
Time will tell.
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