NBA Insider Reveals Heat's Possible Kevin Durant Trade Package

"As far as the talent on the roster, I think the challenge is (that) a year ago, Jaime Jaquez (Jr.) looked like this guy who, 'Hey, maybe we can plug this guy in as a starter just about anywhere and feel really good about it," Smith told Locked on Heat hosts Wes Goldberg and David Ramil on Tuesday.

"I think he backslid enough this year that there's at least some questions of, 'What happened?"

Diving further into the potential key pieces of a Durant deal, Smith also suggested that several players with large expiring contracts could be used to facilitate a trade with the Suns.

"It sounds crazy to say it because I know Heat fans are like, 'Get Terry Rozier as far away from this team as they can.' But the good news is he's an expiring contract."

"Same thing with a guy like Duncan Robinson, expiring deal worth nearly $20 million. Those have value, again, in the league."

If the Heat were to pull off a blockbuster transaction to land Durant, the trio of Jaime Jaquez Jr., Terry Rozier and Duncan Robinson could be a great starting point.

For Phoenix, it's likely that Jaquez Jr. could pique their interests as a 2024 All-Rookie First Team selection and continually developing forward.

With added first-round draft capital being thrown into the mix, a package centered around Jaquez Jr. might just be enough for the Suns and Heat to shake hands on a possible deal. 

Durant's prospective acquisition would be a franchise-altering decision for the Heat, as it would firmly place the franchise as a dark-horse Eastern Conference contender in 2025-26. 

In 62 contests for the Suns this past season, Durant contributed 26.6 points and 6.0 rebounds on a ridiculous 64.2% true shooting percentage, proving that he could certainly make an impact next to another star scorer like the Heat's first-time All-Star Tyler Herro.