Kevin Durant reportedly has the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat at the top of his trade list. A deal to the Suns is difficult to put together because of sign-and-trade complications involving Deandre Ayton on both the Suns and Nets sides.
A trade to the Heat is complicated by Durant’s own desires. Durant reportedly wants to play in Miami only if the Heat keep Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry and Bam Adebayo.
While it’s understandable why Durant would want to play with the Heat’s best players, it makes finding a trade package virtually impossible. Miami simply doesn’t have the available matching salary without including one of those three players. Trading Adebayo to Brooklyn is also not allowed as long as Ben Simmons remains on the roster. This is due to both Adebayo and Simmons being signed to Designated Rookie extensions.