Kevin Durant reportedly targeted by Miami Heat: What’s Pat Riley’s opinion on signing veteran stars?

After a regular season filled with inconsistency that ended with a 37-45 record, the Miami Heat made a swift exit from the playoffs, getting swept 4-0 in the first round by the Cleveland Cavaliers. That disappointing result has president Pat Riley looking to bring in high-impact talent to elevate the team’s level—prompting speculation about a potential move for Kevin Durant.

NBA insider Marc Stein recently stated that Miami is among the teams reportedly interested in acquiring the forward. “The Heat are frequently forecasted as a team, along with Minnesota, expected to show trade interest this offseason in Phoenix’s Kevin Durant,” he reported.

The 36-year-old still has one year left on his contract with the Suns, but in the final months of what was a disappointing season for the Arizona franchise, there was speculation about a possible early exit. While he dismissed the idea of leaving midseason, the situation may now be different.

KD arrived in Phoenix in February 2023 from the Brooklyn Nets with the goal of bolstering a team that had reached the NBA Finals just two years earlier against the Milwaukee Bucks. However, he failed to make a major impact in the playoffs: The Suns were eliminated in the Western Conference semifinals by the Denver Nuggets in 2023, were swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2024, and this year didn’t even qualify for the Play-In Tournament.

What does Pat Riley think?

This week, Pat Riley held a press conference in which he addressed multiple topics, including the team’s recent past and its future. He was asked whether he’s comfortable adding older stars—like Dwyane Wade, Shaquille O’Neal, or Jimmy Butler in previous years—or if he prefers to focus on younger players.

“I think if you take a look at the Warriors, with Draymond (Green) and Steph (Curry) and Jimmy, you got three 35, 36, 37-year-old guys,” Riley began. “I think an aging great, great player who may not be able to carry a team, together they can rise to the occasion in the playoffs. Steph’s injury might hurt them a little bit, but I saw something very unique with that team.”

Riley then applied that example to Miami. “So, for us, yes, if that player is the right name and the contract is the right length, I still think that an aging player can play,” the president explained. “It’s incredible that players, like LeBron (James) and others, that have played into their mid to late thirties and produced at a high level can help teams win championships, and you have to pick out the right one. I’m not against adding that, no.”

What do the Heat need for next season?

It’s undeniable that the conflict and subsequent departure of Jimmy Butler hurt the Heat this year, making them more vulnerable and ultimately leading to an early postseason exit. Given that context, Riley was asked what the team needs to improve and become a true playoff contender.

“Make the roster better, make the offense better, make the defense better,” Pat immediately listed, making it clear he believes the Heat are currently far from that standard. “We have to elevate ourselves up out of the playing to try to get to two, three, four.”