Micky Arison, Pat Riley’s impatience can lead to Heat pursuing Kevin Durant in 2026 NBA free agency

The Miami Heat were reportedly unreasonable in trade negotiations with the Phoenix Suns for Kevin Durant, leading to the Houston Rockets having the winning bid. Miami wouldn’t part with Kel’el Ware or Nikola Jović. Houston was willing to part with Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, a 2025 first-round pick (No. 10 overall), and five second-round draft picks. Ipso facto, the Rockets landed Durant.

It’s just business. And that’s what may lead the Heat back around to check in on KD during 2026 free agency if he’s still available.

Bleacher Report’s Scott Polaceck believes the team’s continued lack of national relevance can lead the team’s brain trust to push for a difference-maker like Durant to be the centerpiece surrounded by Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and the aforementioned young players Micky Arison and Pat Riley wouldn’t deal away.

“Miami could use an impact player like the 15-time All-Star considering it is coming off a 37-45 season and doesn’t have a franchise-altering superstar alongside Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro,” Polaceck wrote.

“The franchise has often relied on those types of players such as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler in recent years, but there isn’t nearly as much star power on the roster heading into the 2025-26 campaign.

“A third straight first-round exit could be in the cards as a result, which could surely be a motivating factor for the front office if and when Durant hits free agency.”

The Athletic’s William Guillory reported Houston’s plan to block that plan by securing Durant and Tari Eason to long-term deals.

“This hasn’t become a big deal yet because all signs point to Durant inking some form of an extension in the coming weeks that will tie him to Houston for the foreseeable future. As of Wednesday, however, the 36-year-old still has only one year and approximately $54.7 million remaining on his current deal,” Guillory wrote.

“The belief among many around the NBA is that Houston is working to secure a long-term extension with Eason — who also has one year remaining on his contract — before inking Durant’s new deal. The hope is that once both are secured, the Rockets will have a much better understanding of what the financial future looks like for this current core.”

Durant has a two-year, $118 million extension on the table. We’ll see if he enjoys his new digs in H-Town before thinking about heading to South Beach to play for a sixth team in his NBA career.