The Phoenix Suns are waiting for the perfect Kevin Durant trade package to land on their doorstep, but that might not happen. What the front office needs to do is see if the Heat are willing to part with Kel'el Ware as part of a deal, giving the Suns a promising young center.
On Thursday, NBA insider Jake Fischer said that he believes Miami could offer Phoenix the best return in a Durant trade if it includes Ware, veteran players, and draft capital. The Heat have the No. 20 pick in the draft that they could offer to the Suns.
Trading Durant is at the top of Phoenix's offseason to-do list, but right behind it is finding a center. The Suns acquired Nick Richards before the 2025 deadline, but he isn't the starting big that they need. He's more suited to be a backup.
Miami drafted Ware with the No. 15 pick in last year's draft. He averaged 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game, shooting 55.4% from the field. The 21-year-old played 64 games, starting in 36 of them. He's the kind of young player Phoenix should hope to receive in a deal. Miami could include Andrew Wiggins and Duncan Robinson in a trade, giving the Suns two impactful veterans as they aim to make a championship push in a tough conference.
Suns could get the kind of Durant package they want from the Heat
Miami is one of the three teams that Durant hopes to be traded to, along with San Antonio and Houston. The Spurs and Rockets have the draft assets and young players to make a deal, but both teams are playing it safe in trade conversations, not wanting to overpay for a star who will turn 37 years old in September.
The Heat, however, should feel more desperate. Miami traded Jimmy Butler to Golden State before the deadline, and the team managed to make it to the first round of the playoffs without him. They didn't win a game, though, further proving that they need more than Tyler Herro to make a deep playoff run. If the Heat trade for Durant, they can do a lot more than make some noise in a lowly Eastern Conference.
Durant should be willing to sign an extension with Miami, considering it's one of the places he wants to be. Will the Heat be willing to give up a package of Ware, Robinson, Wiggins, and the No. 20 pick? That might be the hard part. The allure of being a top team in the East again could be what motivates Miami to land KD.