San Antonio and Houston are great potential landing spots for Kevin Durant, but would Miami be the best option?
The Heat are the third organization deep in the Durant sweepstakes for the long term.
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Miami is willing to offer the 15-time All-Star and one of the greatest scorers of his generation a big time contract.
Durant, 36, is currently on an expiring $54.7 million deal with the Phoenix Suns. He proved this season he remains supreme among the best in the NBA — regardless of his age — averaging 26.6 points per game. The two-time NBA Champion and two-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player is in pursuit of a third league championship ring. LeBron James, Durant’s contemporary, spent four seasons with the Heat (2010-14), capturing back-to-back titles in 2011-12 and 2012-13. Miami has a winning culture with Pat Riley and Erik Spolestra; however, is it the primary option for Durant? Markieff Morris, a 2020 NBA Champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, has played 15 years in the NBA. He went on ESPN’s Get Up, explaining why Miami is good for Durant.
Markieff Morris wants to see KD in Miami
“Little time I spent in MIA, that’s the best brand of basketball I’ve been apart of. Spo does a great job of getting best out of guys. I think that’s perfect spot for him.. I think he can flourish there”
(Via @GetUpESPN) pic.twitter.com/6ZCGsxTznx
— Heat Culture (@HeatCulture13) June 20, 2025
“I would like him to play in South Beach,” Morris said about Durant. “I think it sets up perfectly for him to be on a team with Bam Adebayo, a guy that does it all, and the culture of winning in Miami. You have another elite scorer in Tyler Herro, but he can step right in and be the ultimate scorer he has been. Little time I spent in Miami, that’s the best brand of basketball I’ve been apart of. Spo does a great job of getting best out of guys. I think that’s perfect spot for him.. I think he can flourish there”
Morris mentioned that the Eastern Conference is wide open. Boston has Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown recovering from surgeries, while Damian Lillard is recovering from an Achilles tendon injury in Milwaukee. The Knicks, Cavaliers, and Pacers have young, talented players that helped them advanced in the playoffs — especially Indiana getting to the NBA Finals.
Miami made the postseason too, but Cleveland swept it in the first round.
It could make a better run next season if it has Durant. We will see if he ends up with the Heat.
Stephen M. Smith is a writer for Ball Exclusives. You can follow him on X via @CoachingMSmith.
