NBA Legend Dwyane Wade Issues Kevin Durant, LeBron James Take

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt John | Last updated Jun 27, 2025 5:31 PM ET

The Miami Heat were in on the Kevin Durant sweepstakes before the Phoenix Suns traded him to the Houston Rockets. This isn't the first time they unsuccessfully tried to add Durant, as they did the same nine years prior when they tried to sign him as a free agent.

It makes sense why the Heat believed they had a chance at him in 2025, like in 2016. Miami has a long history of adding the NBA's biggest stars, whether via trade or free agency. That includes Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, Lakers alum Shaquille O'Neal, Jimmy Butler, and Chris Bosh.

However, the last time they added a big name to the team was when they signed Butler six years ago. Since then, they haven't had as much luck. Even worse, Durant alone may have been enough to vault Miami back to the top of the Eastern Conference.

If one person saw this coming, it's Heat alum Dwyane Wade. Wade explained on his podcast that Durant not coming to South Beach had to do with his not wanting to follow in James' footsteps back in 2010.

“I said this 10 years ago when the Heat were trying to get him… he’s not following LeBron," Wade said. "Why are we recruiting somebody who’s not doing that? I didn’t like it then, and I didn’t like it now. I’m glad he’s in Houston. That ain’t it.”

Durant may not have wanted to follow the same direct path James did in 2010, but he followed a very similar path when he joined the Golden State Warriors in 2016. Doing so is what stopped James from winning more titles during that decade.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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