That makes things a bit more difficult in a potential Durant-to-Phoenix deal, meaning Miami has a chance at being the frontrunner to land the all-time great scorer.
Can the Heat put together a strong enough trade package to land Durant, though?
Take a look at the assets Miami can – and cannot – move in a potential trade for the two-time Finals MVP.
What the Heat can trade for Kevin Durant
Available/unavailable players
Victor Oladipo, Caleb Martin, Dewayne Dedmon and Nikola Jovic all cannot be included in a deal for Durant because they each have signing restrictions.
Bam Adebayo is also exempt in a deal because the Nets would not be able to have two players on max rookie extension (with Ben Simmons being the other).
Everyone else on Miami’s roster is available.
MORE: Five burning questions about a potential Durant to Warriors deal
The Heat would also have to get in the realm of Durant’s salary of $44.1 million for the 2022-23 season to match salaries in a deal.
Available draft picks
The Heat have their own 2023 and 2024 first-round picks but it gets a little complicated after that due to pick restrictions.
Available trade exception(s)
The Heat have already used their Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level exception on Caleb Martin.
Their only available trade exception is worth $1.8 million as part of the trade that sent KZ Okpala to Oklahoma City. They have until Feb. 9, 2023 to use that trade exception.
