ESPN report suggests Miami is gaining momentum in Kevin Durant trade talks
ESPN report suggests Miami is gaining momentum in Kevin Durant trade talks While Houston remains a preferred destination, ESPN's latest reporting suggests that Miami could be making inroads on a possible Kevin Durant trade with the Suns.
The Miami Heat appear to be gaining steam as a potential trade destination for Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant. In turn, that could decrease the likelihood of a deal with the Houston Rockets.
On Saturday night, ESPN's Shams Charania listed the Heat first among three teams that Durant would want a trade to and commit to long-term (joining the Rockets and San Antonio Spurs, who were the only teams previously reported). In all of Charania's other reports this week, Houston had been listed first among Durant suitors.
As part of a separate story also published late Saturday, The Athletic's Sam Amick, Kelly Iko, and Jon Krawczynski referred to a deal with the Rockets or Spurs as 'unlikely for now.' In both cases, Phoenix seemingly isn't receiving the desired trade return from Houston or San Antonio that it would want.
While it's possible that any of these leaks could be for leverage purposes, the momentum seems to be in Miami's favor as the Durant talks enter what is believed to be their closing stages.
If there's a silver lining for the Rockets, should they not land the 15-time NBA All-Star, it's that Miami is an Eastern Conference team. Durant joining the Spurs or Minnesota Timberwolves — who were reported to be in the discussions on Friday — would likely be a worse outcome than the Heat from a Houston perspective, since those are West rivals.
More: With Rockets among top suitors, Suns reportedly closing in on Kevin Durant trade
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