Windhorst Doesn't Think Heat Were 'Close' to Topping Rockets for Kevin Durant Trade
ESPN's Brian Windhorst didn't believe that the Miami Heat were a legitimate threat to beat the Houston Rockets' offer for Kevin Durant before the Phoenix Suns traded the star forward to Houston on Sunday.
"I don't think Miami's…I don't think it was close," Windhorst said during Sunday's episode of The Hoop Collective (2:12 mark). "I don't think Miami got, quote unquote, outbid."
Per Windhorst, Miami's offer to Phoenix didn't include Tyler Herro or Kel'el Ware (6:15 mark).
ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Durant was traded to the Rockets in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft and five second-round picks.
After Sunday's trade was agreed upon, Charania reported that the Heat made "multiple offers" for Durant. They ultimately turned down the chance to package Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, Haywood Highsmith, the No. 20 pick and "other draft assets" in a deal, per Charania.
Miami reportedly kept Herro and Bam Adebayo off the table in trade negotiations involving Durant.
While the Heat may have been an interested suitor for Durant, they didn't seem willing to make an offer that exceeded Phoenix's final return from Houston.
