It appears the Miami Heat are nearing the finish line in the Kevin Durant race, but will they give up the young player the Phoenix Suns want?
The Kevin Durant trade saga has been one with several twists and turns. Since the Phoenix Suns’ catastrophic season ended, Durant’s exit has been all but confirmed.
Several teams were in the race for Durant. But as the days went on, teams started to pull away from the negotiation table.
Eventually, it came out that the Minnesota Timberwolves were closest to landing Durant. They were pushing the hardest to land the star.
But Durant’s reluctance to commit long-term to the Timberwolves caused them to look away unless he changed his mind.
Now, it appears the Miami Heat, who were on Durant’s shortlist, have made strides in negotiating with the Suns, and the addition of one more piece to the package should get the deal done soon.
According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Miami Heat are close to completing a trade for Kevin Durant. But there is one stumbling point in the deal.
The Phoenix Suns are reportedly demanding the Heat add Kel’el Ware to the trade package. While there is no confirmation that the Heat will agree, the possibility of a deal being completed is quite high.
“…It is the Heat that league personnel are signaling as the team with a better chance at a deal. Although the two sides are not right at the finish line yet in trade talks, one player can get them there.
“That would be Kel’el Ware, a rookie standout in Miami’s frontcourt who is a giant with his 7-foot-4 wingspan and two-way potential.
“If the Heat include Ware in a revamped package to what they have already offered, talks with the Suns will reach a whole new level, as he is the player Phoenix wants in discussions with Miami.
“To this point in negotiations, the Heat have not firmly offered Ware in a proposed package, sources told ClutchPoints.
“If Pat Riley and his front office don’t push more chips in to get Durant, a player Riley has wanted to bring to South Beach for years, they will be out, and the Suns will further their talks with the other teams interested.”
If the deal is as close as Siegel is describing, then Pat Riley should strongly consider adding Ware to the package.
While he is no doubt an exciting prospect, Ware has had his share of problems. Ware performed poorly in the playoffs for the Heat.
Things got so bad at one point that Erik Spoelstra pulled Ware out of a playoff game early, although he justified the decision as a learning experience for the young center.
Ware had a decent season with the Heat, averaging 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks. He showed signs of raw potential that could be harnessed.
But in Durant, the Heat will get a polished, excellent finished product, and that might be worth getting rid of a promising yet inconsistent young center.
