The Kevin Durant sweepstakes are still getting slimmer and slimmer by the day, and with KD having no desires to play in Minnesota who were deemed as the favourites to land the former NBA champion, his next landing spot looks like a fight between three franchises, two are ideal, but one just doesn't make sense. Miami.
The 36 year old who is heading into his final year of his $50 million plus deal with the Suns looks almost certain to leave the team, and was enquired about on numerous occasions during the trade deadline, but a move away from Phoenix now seems imminent. As almost half the teams across the league emerged as potential suitors for him, it now seems Houston, San Antonio, and Miami are the only teams left in the race, and it is likely going to be who offers best. But with teams such as Houston and San Antonio only one KD like piece away from being serious contenders, here is why Miami are the odd ones out in this conversation.
Miami, who shipped star Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors last season still have a team of great players, but not a combination of players who can contend. Figuring KD has Phoenix, money won't be his main priority for a move, and it is likely a contending team with a teal chance at glory could be his preference. In this case, Miami doesn't fit the bill. Yes bringing in KD would elevate them, but it is who is around him which will either help, or hinder him in the long run. Paying, and giving up a heap of players and picks for KD would be a bad move for Miami and himself, a deal that wouldn't make sense on both ends, and a rather desperate move on Miami's behalf.
With clear signs of contention in Texas, many of the two have both the assets, and the desires to bring KD to either Houston or San Antonio, and would be a much more practical and smooth move for KD. San Antonio who expect generational talent Victor Wembanyama to return next season alongside rookie of the year Stephon Castle and former All-Star De’Aaron Fox, KD would be the ideal guard replacement for the departing Chris Paul, and would be the ideal and likely favourable move for KD towards the later end of his career. Similarly with Houston, Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr, and a heap of great future draft picks would be enough to tempt the Suns, and after a great year this year, an addition of a player like Kevin Durant could be what they need.
In this situation, there is really nothing pulling KD to Miami, as both states offer the same in terms of living situations, tax, and basketball teams in general. A team like Houston and San Antonio who have the assets to splash, and would benefit more from a player like KD compared to Miami just makes more sense. Regardless of their cap space, going to Florida would just be a monetary move for the NBA legend, and for both parties just isn't a realistic or smart move.
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