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The deal would be as follows

Heat send out:

Terry Rozier (expiring)
Duncan Robinson (expiring, guarantee his money)

And then they will offer one of their rookie deal guys, so either Kel'el Ware, Nikola Jovic, or Jamie Jaquez will be the final current player

2025 1st round pick (via GSW)
2030 1st round pick (with option to push to 2031)

Suns send out KD and will take in LESS salary in return

Ware would the guy. That's who us in the Suns forum have been discussing. That, plus a pick is enough for me

Pretty big value difference in those young players. Not sure Jovic or Jaquez hold much trade value at this point. Ware OTOH is a good asset.

I think either of the first two with those picks is about right value wise.

I agree with Chuck. Miami should keep Ware, but either JJ or Jovic with the picks seems right on value. But, I'd argue that Miami is so far away from being a contender that they'd be dump to pull the trigger. Instead they should start a rebuild with Ware as a clear keeper.

I can't see the point for Miami? IF Jimmy were still there, I'd like it. Without him, that team isn't a Durant away from being serious. If they could follow this up with a move for Trae/Ja/Zion or someone else to be a legit #2 id like it a lot more.

Miami should do a 1 yr reset, get a high draft pick and try to get a FA in 2026 offseason

As low as I am on KD's trade value I think it needs Ware to be relevant. Maybe Ware's valuable enough to lose one of the picks as I think Phoenix is going to value player quality over picks in trades.

I think either JJJ or Jovic with decent protection on the 2030 pick is fair for both sides.

Godymas wrote:The deal would be as follows

Heat send out:

Terry Rozier (expiring)
Duncan Robinson (expiring, guarantee his money)

And then they will offer one of their rookie deal guys, so either Kel'el Ware, Nikola Jovic, or Jamie Jaquez will be the final current player

2025 1st round pick (via GSW)
2030 1st round pick (with option to push to 2031)

Suns send out KD and will take in LESS salary in return

My guess is Miami would not include Ware. Otherwise, I think Riley happily makes this deal.

Ware's a rookie, but people are overrating him. He was pretty awful defending in space, or even a simple rotation, against the Cavs. He can get better, but I don't get treating him as a too-good-to-trade prospect.

Even with that being the case, the Heat are a KD away from what exactly? KD and Kyrie were supposed to team up and run through the East for half a decade. They never even got to the confernce finals. The East has gotten a lot better and Durant is considerably older. If the Magic actually solve their guard situation, I count at least six teams who should beat the Heat with Durant.

The Heat should be clearing cap, accumulating picks, and waiting until at least the summer of 2026. See if Riley has one more whale up his sleeve, add a top 10 pick, and then think about making a big trade.

God, I don't want Durant. But without Ware, I could see Miami doing something like this.

Expirings, pick #20 and a mid-ish prospect like Jovic is probably about the right value.

Good job.

jbk1234 wrote:Ware's a rookie, but people are overrating him. He was pretty awful defending in space, or even a simple rotation, against the Cavs. He can get better, but I don't get treating him as a too-good-to-trade prospect.

Even with that being the case, the Heat are a KD away from what exactly? KD and Kyrie were supposed to team up and run through the East for half a decade. They never even got to the confernce finals. The East has gotten a lot better and Durant is considerably older. If the Magic actually solve their guard situation, I count at least six teams who should beat the Heat with Durant.

The Heat should be clearing cap, accumulating picks, and waiting until at least the summer of 2026. See if Riley has one more whale up his sleeve, add a top 10 pick, and then think about making a big trade.

I don't think he's too good to trade, but he's good enough that I'd think twice before trading him and pick(s) for an expiring 37 year old KD.

Wrong direction for Miami.

jbk1234 wrote:Ware's a rookie, but people are overrating him. He was pretty awful defending in space, or even a simple rotation, against the Cavs. He can get better, but I don't get treating him as a too-good-to-trade prospect.

Even with that being the case, the Heat are a KD away from what exactly? KD and Kyrie were supposed to team up and run through the East for half a decade. They never even got to the confernce finals. The East has gotten a lot better and Durant is considerably older. If the Magic actually solve their guard situation, I count at least six teams who should beat the Heat with Durant.

The Heat should be clearing cap, accumulating picks, and waiting until at least the summer of 2026. See if Riley has one more whale up his sleeve, add a top 10 pick, and then think about making a big trade.

While I agree we should be staying away from KD and investing in our future, I don't agree with your valuation of Ware. No, he's not too good to trade. He's just too good to trade for this incarnation of KD.

Godaddycurse wrote:Miami should do a 1 yr reset, get a high draft pick and try to get a FA in 2026 offseason

How do they tank with that team? They aren't great, but they aren't that awful either.

jbk1234 wrote:Ware's a rookie, but people are overrating him. He was pretty awful defending in space, or even a simple rotation, against the Cavs. He can get better, but I don't get treating him as a too-good-to-trade prospect.

Even with that being the case, the Heat are a KD away from what exactly? KD and Kyrie were supposed to team up and run through the East for half a decade. They never even got to the confernce finals. The East has gotten a lot better and Durant is considerably older. If the Magic actually solve their guard situation, I count at least six teams who should beat the Heat with Durant.

The Heat should be clearing cap, accumulating picks, and waiting until at least the summer of 2026. See if Riley has one more whale up his sleeve, add a top 10 pick, and then think about making a big trade.

I'm one of the few Heat fans who is pretty meh on Ware (and Jovic). The biggest issue is Miami is already thin in the frontcourt and trading Ware would exacerbate that big time.

I don't know Miami's exact financial situation, but a trade like the one in the OP should allow Miami to use its exceptions. With KD on the roster, Miami has a much better shot at attracting FAs that could help them improve. Brook Lopez and Bruce Brown (who Miami was apparently interested in at the trade deadline) would give Miami 2 guys with championship experience.

Lopez / Ware
Adebayo / Anderson / Love
KD / Brown
Wiggins / Highsmith / Larsson
Herro / D Mitchell

Laimbeer wrote:

Godaddycurse wrote:Miami should do a 1 yr reset, get a high draft pick and try to get a FA in 2026 offseason

How do they tank with that team? They aren't great, but they aren't that awful either.

"Injuries"
Blatant rest like utah

Godaddycurse wrote:

Laimbeer wrote:

Godaddycurse wrote:Miami should do a 1 yr reset, get a high draft pick and try to get a FA in 2026 offseason

How do they tank with that team? They aren't great, but they aren't that awful either.

"Injuries"
Blatant rest like utah

We don't do that, and that's very much by design. Losing intentionally rubs off. We're not going to teach our youth bad habits. It's a terrible sentiment.

I'd rather go after a younger player than Durant, but even Durant is better than tanking.

BBallFreak wrote:

Godaddycurse wrote:

Laimbeer wrote:
How do they tank with that team? They aren't great, but they aren't that awful either.

"Injuries"
Blatant rest like utah

We don't do that, and that's very much by design. Losing intentionally rubs off. We're not going to teach our youth bad habits. It's a terrible sentiment.

I'd rather go after a younger player than Durant, but even Durant is better than tanking.

then you can do the half measured approach by Toronto and play rookies in 4th quarter and let them try to win should land you around 7-8th pick/out of the play in