Many big-time players have joined the Miami Heat in the last 25 years. First, there was Shaquille O’Neal in 2004. Then LeBron James and Chris Bosh in 2010. Later, it was Goran Dragic and Jimmy Butler.
They all had the same reason for wanting to play for the Heat. Those same reasons may play a role in landing Kevin Durant this offseason. ESPN insider Brian Windhorst explained Thursday morning on “Get Up.”
“I think he’s got Miami on there because he’s attracted by the city and Pat Riley,” Windhorst said. “It’s certainly not the team.”
“I think [Kevin Durant’s] got Miami on [his preferred teams list] because he is attracted by the city and Pat Riley. It’s certainly not the team.” – @WindhorstESPN on @GetUpESPN pic.twitter.com/UDqM6f22dr
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The Heat are in contention with the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves for Durant. The Rockets and Timberwolves are already championship-ready while the Spurs have the lure of Victor Wembanyama.
Playing with All-Stars Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo with the Heat is enticing but it will likely come down to if Durant wants to continue his career under Riley in the city of Miami.
A decision is expected some time before next week’s draft.
“I had one team tell me today, it’s kind of a game of chicken at this point,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said. “From the Rockets to the Heat to the Minnesota Timberwolves, it’s literally one or two pieces away, either which way, that can get a deal done. At the end of the day, one of these teams has to meet the threshold.”
