Latest Kevin Durant Trade Rumors on Heat Interest, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr.

The Miami Heat are once again pursuing Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant as trade rumors swirl around the 36-year-old forward.

As they did during February’s trade deadline, the Heat are reportedly working to craft an ideal deal to bring Durant to South Beach, The Stein Line's Jake Fischer reported. Initial talks of a potential Jimmy Butler–Durant swap cooled at the deadline, but fresh offers this offseason could reignite interest from the Suns' front office.

According to sources, Miami has been high on Kevin Durant’s list of preferred trade destinations since he was first dealt to Brooklyn — and the Heat have continued to surface in trade talks ever since, per Fischer.

At the trade deadline, the Heat were hesitant to move former first-round picks Kel’el Ware and Jaime Jaquez Jr. But with postseason struggles and the Suns’ need at center, Miami’s possible openness to include Ware given Phoenix's hole at center could jump-start trade talks.

Since Durant arrived in Phoenix to form a “Big Three” with Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, the Suns have consistently fallen short of expectations in the postseason.

In his debut with the team, Phoenix was eliminated in the Western Conference semifinals. Last season, they exited in the first round and this year they missed the playoffs entirely after finishing 36-46.

Despite the team’s struggles, Durant has remained productive, averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists this season while shooting an efficient 52.7 percent from the field.

A potential move for Durant appears to be gaining steam after he spent the week in Los Angeles, while the Suns introduced new head coach Jordan Ott and quickly found themselves in the center of trade speculation involving the 15-time All-Star.