Heat, Clippers, Raptors, Wolves' Top Trade Options After Kevin Durant to Rockets
The Kevin Durant domino has now fallen after he was traded to the Houston Rockets on Sunday, per ESPN's Shams Charania, but plenty more teams could be in the running to make improvements this offseason.
Charania noted that the Phoenix Suns were "primarily focused" on trade talks with the Rockets, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves, but that "several other wild-card suitors" emerged as well, which included the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers.
So one could surmise that the four teams that didn't complete a Durant trade will be actively pursuing upgrades this summer on the trade market. Let's break down some players they could potentially target.
Miami Heat
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One name that has already been kicked around regarding Miami is Sacramento's DeMar DeRozan, though there has been mixed reporting on the matter.
DeRozan, 35, would provide solid isolation scoring for the Heat (22.2 PPG last season) and wouldn't break the bank in the process (he's due to make $24.7 million next season and $25.7 million in 2026-27), though it's fair to question if his acquisition would raise Miami's ceiling beyond teams like the Indiana Pacers, Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic or even if the Philadelphia 76ers (if they can stay healthy).
Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis seem likely to be traded as part of Boston's payroll trimming this summer, and Holiday in particular would fit well within the ballyhooed Heat Culture. But a trade between Boston and Miami would just feel... weird, given the strong rivalry they've stoked over recent years. And Holiday's age and contract ($32.4 million next year, $34.8 million in 2026-27) aren't ideal, while Porziņģis struggles to stay on the court.
As for bigger names who could be moved, the Heat don't have the assets to get into the potential Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, so that's out of the question. Perhaps they could make a splash and pursue a player like Zion Williamson, though he wouldn't be the most natural frontcourt fit with Adebayo (and again, the Heat might simply get outbid in those talks given their lukewarm assets).
If Trae Young is put on the market, he certainly would bolster Miami's offense, though a defensive backcourt of Young and Herro wouldn't be pretty.
Most Realistic: DeRozan
Most Intriguing: Williamson
Clippers
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The Clippers feel like a strong potential fit for Porziņģis, whose inside-out game would fit on offense next to center Ivica Zubac and whose shot-blocking would further upgrade them defensively.
The downside, of course, is pairing the injury-prone Porziņģis with the injury-prone Kawhi Leonard. Just ask the Sixers how that can backfire.
It's arguable whether either Holiday or DeRozan would really raise the team's ceiling all that much beyond what they currently have amongst their role players, while Williamson's injury history and fit might be a tough sell and Young wouldn't make much sense with Harden at point guard.
If Giannis becomes available, that's the top target, but whether he asks out—or desires a move to the Clippers—is unknown. The Clippers may also lack the assets to land him.
A name to watch is Cameron Johnson. The Clippers could offer a deal centered around Bogdan Bogdanovic, Drew Eubanks and significant draft capital to the Brooklyn Nets for Johnson, bolstering their scoring and floor spacing in the process.
It might not be the splashiest name on the list, but it would make a lot of sense.
Most Realistic: Johnson
Most Intriguing: Giannis if he asks out, Porziņģis otherwise
Raptors
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Giannis, Giannis, Giannis, Giannis, Giannis.
Did we mention Giannis?
Whether this would happen, of course, is dependent on a number of factors outside of Toronto's control. But if Giannis does ask out—and if he is willing to play for the Raptors—they have the goods to land him and pair him with Scottie Barnes (and potentially Brandon Ingram).
Williamson would be another interesting name, though his fit and injury concerns might not be attractive to Toronto.
Beyond that, perhaps a a smaller move like landing Malik Monk would suffice, bolstering the team's depth. Monk provides shooting and scoring in a six-man role, and if the Raptors aren't going to land a big fish, they probably should take the patient approach.
Most Realistic: Monk
Most Intriguing: Antetokounmpo
Timberwolves
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It would be funny if Minnesota decided to break up the big-man duo of Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns, only to pivot to a worse big-man duo of Gobert and Porziņģis. Prepare your pointing Spider-Man memes, though that one feels unlikely.
What the Wolves really need is a reliable second scorer to take the pressure off Anthony Edwards, but to add one without losing a strong defensive identity. That makes an acquisition of a player like DeRozan somewhat unappealing, while Cam Johnson might not meaningfully move the needle enough.
Giannis is the dream if he becomes available, obviously—as we've mentioned with basically every team—though that might require moving off Gobert as well to avoid nuking the team's floor spacing.
Could the Wolves consider adding Jalen Green if the Suns reroute him following Sunday's trade? He'd fit the timeline of Edwards and he'd give the team a second scoring option behind him, though his inconsistencies and shot selection might cause some headaches.
But if they could land him and keep their strong defensive core in place, it could be an interesting, albeit surprising, move.
Most Realistic: Johnson or Green
Most Intriguing: Giannis (duh)
