After a disappointing first-round exit, the Miami Heat are expected to make significant moves this summer. Erik Spoelstra’s team is in need of a new star to lead the franchise, and they will be connected to every major name potentially available for trade. Both Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo have been mentioned as possible targets by the Heat’s fanbase and the wider NBA media.
On a recent episode of the Zach Lowe Show, the NBA analyst suggested that Durant is a more realistic target for the Heat, especially considering that the Milwaukee Bucks have shown no intention of moving Giannis this summer.
“This is a team that does not react well from being this far from the bar, and so I’m expecting a big offseason for them,” Lowe said. “I don’t know what form that’s going to take. I think they’ll try to butt into any superstar trade conversations that come up. They’ve got stuff, just not that much stuff. They can trade two first-round picks right now, [and] on draft night they can trade a third. If the Giannis thing actually comes to bear, I just don’t see how they have any shot in hell at getting into that. Durant is much more realistic to me.”
Durant is expected to be on the move this summer as the Phoenix Suns aim to retool their roster, making Durant the most logical trade chip.
While pursuing another star like Durant is likely the route the Heat will take, ESPN’s Bobby Marks recently argued that rebuilding might be the smarter choice for the franchise.
“It’s very hard threading the needle,” Marks said during an April 30 episode of ESPN’s NBA Today. “They’ve been a Play-In team the last couple of years. Would they ever consider taking a step back, potentially taking the Oklahoma City approach? Maybe you get a core player back and draft picks and going in that direction…They are going to be where they are a year from now, if there are no changes here. It may have to be taking a step back instead of going star-chasing.”
Rebuilding would mean accepting several years of struggles, but it could put the Heat in a position to become true contenders in the future. Right now, the franchise is stagnant, and adding a star like Durant isn’t a guaranteed fix.
During a postgame press conference on April 28, Bam Adebayo shared his expectations for the Heat’s offseason.
“There’s going to be a lot of changes this summer,” Adebayo said. “Just from my point of view, understanding how the guy with the silver hair works. Just be prepared for that.”
If Miami does choose the rebuilding path, Adebayo’s departure could be one of the changes. However, given Pat Riley’s history, it seems more likely that the Heat will try to retool quickly. Whether Durant will be a part of that plan remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—the Heat face a crucial offseason ahead.
