Heat Targeting Kevin Durant Trade Over Donovan Mitchell

July 19, 2022

The Heat remain active in their pursuit of another All-Star and are prioritizing the Nets’ Kevin Durant over the Jazz’s Donovan Mitchell at the moment, per Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.

It is not known what the Heat have offered for either, but it is believed reigning Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro is a starting point in negotiations, along with Duncan Robinson and draft picks.

As we relayed, the Heat are seemingly aiming to land more picks to offer to the Nets or the Jazz in a deal for Durant or Mitchell.

As of right now, however, it appears neither the Nets nor Jazz are real fans of a Herro and Robinson package, likely because Herro is eligible for a contract extension and is believed to be seeking a maximum deal.

“In the case of Durant, the Nets want an All-Star and the buzz from league sources is they are lukewarm on a Herro and Robinson package, even with more picks,” wrote Kurt Helin of NBC Sports.

Still, Heat president Pat Riley has a way of finding workable deals and landing stars, so most around the league will tell you that somehow, someway the Heat will wind up with either Durant or Mitchell. It just may take some time and without a doubt, some more picks.

While the Heat remain aggressive in trying to land Durant, it seems not many others are. Most don’t want to give up what the Nets are seeking for a player who turns 34-years old on September 29 — and a player who has expressed unhappiness with the Thunder, Warriors and now the Nets.

“The Nets are still trying to find a deal for Kevin Durant. I think if Kevin Durant came to Brooklyn and said: ‘Hey, I’ve changed my mind. I want to be here, I’m committed to this,’ of course they would want him to stay,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said on Get Up.

“But, if Kevin Durant’s not doing that, you’re still trying to trade him. You want players who want to be there. You don’t want the environment to be filled with players who are unhappy, who don’t want to be a part of it. But they’ve gotta get value for him, and they’ve got to get significant value for him.”