Latest news with #Heat
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shams Reveals How Close Heat Are to Pulling Off Kevin Durant Trade
Shams Reveals How Close Heat Are to Pulling Off Kevin Durant Trade originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In a recent appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," ESPN insider Shams Charania provided a tantalizing update on the potential trade of Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns. Advertisement According to Charania, the Miami Heat are on the brink of finalizing a deal, with the Heat, Houston Rockets, and Minnesota Timberwolves submitting their final offers. The Suns, holding firm on their price threshold, are engaged in a high-stakes game of chicken with these suitors, as Charania was told by one team. Charania's insights suggest that the Heat are particularly close, potentially just "one or two pieces away" from meeting Phoenix's demands. This development comes as Durant, on an expiring contract worth $54.7 million for the 2025-26 season, could sign a lucrative extension post-trade. Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant (35).Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images The Heat's desperation, following their early playoff exit, contrasts with the Timberwolves' ongoing playoff run, making Miami a more aggressive contender. Advertisement Durant, coming off a season in which he averaged a stellar 26.6 points per game on 52.7% shooting from the field, has shown that he still has the talent to lead a team to a championship. The trade's complexity, possibly involving multiple teams, adds intrigue, with Charania hinting at scenarios that could branch into much more than a simple one-for-one exchange. As the NBA offseason heats up, the Heat's proximity to landing Durant could reshape the league's competitive landscape, offering Miami a chance to bolster their roster significantly. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely as this saga unfolds, with the potential for a seismic shift in the NBA's power dynamics. Related: Kevin Durant Video is Going Viral Amid Trade Rumors This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Miami Heat emerge as frontrunner in blockbuster Kevin Durant trade — but one rising rookie could make or break the deal
Image via Barry Gossage/ Getty Images The Kevin Durant sweepstakes are heating up—and the Miami Heat may finally be in the driver's seat. As multiple teams circle the two-time Finals MVP, one name is suddenly dominating the trade conversation: Kel'el Ware. According to NBA insider, Miami could leap ahead of the pack if they include the 7-foot-4 rookie standout in their offer to the Phoenix Suns. But as of now, Ware hasn't officially been put on the table. That hesitation could be the difference between a blockbuster and a bust. Kel'el Ware could be the X-factor in Miami Heat's bid to land Kevin Durant in blockbuster trade Trade conversations between the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat are reportedly gaining traction, but one key piece is still missing. According to ClutchPoints insider Brett Siegel, things are progressing—but not quite finalized. 'Although the two sides are not right at the finish line yet in trade talks,' Siegel wrote, 'one player can get them there.' That player is Kel'el Ware, a rising rookie talent who has caught the attention of Suns executives. '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,' Siegel explained. Phoenix is reportedly fixated on Ware's upside and believes his inclusion could unlock the next stage of negotiations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Our one of a kind Patented Cold Water Extraction Process Superior Ginseng Undo '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,' Siegel continued, 'as he is the player Phoenix wants in discussions with Miami.' So far, the Heat have not fully committed to sending Ware in any official proposal. But according to Siegel, there's a sense around the league that the Heat are closest to closing the deal—if they're willing to make that leap. 'This is why many around the league who spoke with ClutchPoints view the Heat as the team that can get over the finish line the easiest,' Siegel wrote. In the proposed framework, Miami's outgoing assets would include Ware and Andrew Wiggins, while additional teams could be brought in to help Phoenix clear salary and get under the luxury tax. Also Read: 'Wish you were here'- Amidst trade rumors Kevin Durant pays emotional tribute to NBA legend Kobe Bryant Kevin Durant remains one of the league's most dangerous scorers, and he's made it clear he'd welcome a move to Miami. Still, the final call may rest with Heat president Pat Riley and whether he's ready to part with Kel'el Ware. With the Suns aiming to cut costs and a half-dozen teams still in the mix, the window to land Durant won't stay open for long. If Miami wants to win the sweepstakes, it's time to push their final chip in. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA rumors: Insider makes eye-opening Ja Morant-Heat trade connection
The post NBA rumors: Insider makes eye-opening Ja Morant-Heat trade connection appeared first on ClutchPoints. With some wondering about the Memphis Grizzlies' plans with Ja Morant after the shocking trade of sending Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic, there has been much speculation about the team that could be interested in the star. As some such as ESPN's Brian Windhorst see the Grizzlies' move as a rebuild trade that could impact Morant, Vince Goodwill of Yahoo Sports would link the Miami Heat to the 25-year-old. Advertisement Morant being connected to Miami currently wouldn't be the first time it's happened, as Goodwill points out that it would have been more complicated to do before the trade deadline with the Jimmy Butler saga happening. He would also say on his 'Good Word with Goodwill' podcast that Bane would've been involved in 'iterations' of a potential deal at the time. 'I don't think I'm breaking news here, but in the middle of the whole Jimmy Butler saga last year, one name that multiple league sources had brought up to me was, 'Hey, you might want to check on Ja Morant and Miami,'' Goodwill said. 'I didn't understand the iterations of it and I thought 'This was gonna be a really complicated trade (A) because of Jimmy's extension (B) because of Ja's long money, and there was iterations of Ja and Desmond Bane being shipped out, which sounds like it could be true given Desmond Bane was just traded yesterday.' Grizzlies not expected to trade Ja Morant Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports Trade rumors around Morant have been non-stop, especially ever since the Grizzlies fired head coach Taylor Jenkins, but in terms of the current moment, there isn't an expectation that the team will trade the talented star. This comes from a report by Tim Bontemps of ESPN, who said that Memphis is 'not looking to deal' Morant and big man Jaren Jackson Jr., who are seen as the 'two remaining franchise cornerstones.' Advertisement 'But more star trades are not expected. Sources told ESPN that the Grizzlies are not looking to deal either of their two remaining franchise cornerstones. The team has spent the past several months clearing salary cap space to complete a renegotiation and extension of Jackson's contract this offseason, preventing him from hitting free agency in 2026. The belief is that an extension will get done, sources said. But the Bane trade gives Memphis an avenue to give Jackson even more on that deal and lock him in long term.' Looking at the Heat, the team is currently pursuing Kevin Durant, but if it does not pan through, the franchise will look for other options in adding a star, which could mean contacting the Grizzlies about Morant. At any rate, Memphis looks to improve after finishing 48-34, which put them eighth in the Western Conference before being eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Related: NBA rumors: Shams claims Heat, Rockets 'a piece or 2 away' from Kevin Durant trade Related: 2025 NBA Mock Draft 3.5: How Desmond Bane trade can lead to more 1st-round deals
Miami Herald
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
A look at big men who could be available for the Heat at No. 20 in the NBA Draft
With the NBA Draft less than a week away, the Miami Heat is still holding on to the 20th pick in the first round. The Miami Herald's three-part NBA Draft preview concludes with a look at the big men who are expected to be selected in the Heat's range. The big candidates include Saint Joseph's Rasheer Fleming, Creighton's Ryan Kalkbrenner, South Carolina's Collin Murray-Boyles, Georgia's Asa Newell, Stanford's Maxime Raynaud, Georgetown's Thomas Sorber, Michigan's Danny Wolf and international prospects Joan Beringer and Noa Essengue. Khaman Maluach and Derik Queen are widely considered the best big men in the 2025 draft class, and they will almost definitely be selected before it's Miami's turn to pick if it doesn't trade up. The first round of the NBA Draft is Wednesday and the second round is Thursday. The Heat currently doesn't have a pick in the second round of this year's draft, but NBA teams can buy and sell second-round selections. The Heat is permitted to trade the 20th pick before the upcoming draft because it also owns its pick in next year's draft. WHAT TO KNOW Fleming's frame is impressive, standing 6-foot-8 and 232 pounds with an incredible 7-5 wingspan. He's also athletic and can serve as a lob threat who's an above average finisher around the rim while also keeping defenses honest from three-point range. Fleming, 21, averaged 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 53.1% from the field and 39% on 4.5 three-point attempts per game as a junior last season. While Fleming is more of a play finisher than a play creator, his size and athleticism make him an intriguing prospect, especially in the back half of the first round. Kalkbrenner is one of the top rim protectors in this year's draft class. He comes in at 7-1 and 257 pounds with a 7-6 wingspan, averaging more than two blocks per game in four of his five college seasons to win the Big East Defensive Player of the Year award four times. Kalkbrenner averaged 19.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.7 blocks per game while shooting 65.3% from the field and 34.4% on 1.7 three-point attempts per game as a fifth-year senior last season. But the concern is that Kalkbrenner will struggle to defend in space and won't be able to space the floor on the offensive end in the NBA. Developing a somewhat dependable three-point shot would help Kalkbrenner at the next level. At 6-6 and 239 pounds with a 7-foot wingspan, the 20-year-old Murray-Boyles will likely be drafted in the first round because of his defensive potential as a switchable and versatile weapon on that end of the court. He averaged 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game as a sophomore at South Carolina last season. But Murray-Boyles' offensive game needs some work, as he made just nine of his 34 three-point attempts last season. He also doesn't project as a ball-handler or shot creator. But Murray-Boyles' defensive upside makes him a first-round prospect. Newell is a 19-year-old who measured in at 6-9 and 224 pounds and has standout athleticism. He averaged 15.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, one steal and one block per game while shooting 54.3% from this field in his lone college season last season. Defense could be Newell's biggest NBA strength, as he projects as a switchable defender at the next level. But what is Newell's position? Does he play too big to be a forward and is he too small to play as a center? Also, how concerning is it that Newell shot just 29.2% on 2.7 three-point attempts per game at Georgia last season? Newell has some questions he needs to find answers to on the court. Raynaud was born and raised in France before moving to the United State to major in mathematics at Stanford in hopes of beginning a career in astrophysics. But instead, it appears the skilled 22-year-old 7-footer will be drafted into the NBA this summer after averaging 20.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 46.7% from the field and 34.7% on 5.5 three-point attempts per game as a senior at Stanford last season. Raynaud is a fluid ball-handler for his size, allowing him to put the ball on the floor and get to the basket. But Raynaud's outside shooting as a 7-footer is what will catch NBA teams' attention. However, foot speed is not one of Raynaud's strengths, and that has raised questions about what he will look like on defense at the next level. Sorber stands 6-9 and 263 pounds with a massive 7-6 wingspan. That combination of size, length and strength is one that will intrigue most NBA teams. Sorber, 19, averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals and two blocks per game while shooting 53.2% from the field in 24 games as a freshman last season before a late-season foot injury required surgery. Sorber is a quality finisher around the rim, a skilled passer for his size and has the upside to be a solid defender at the NBA level. But Sorber is not a threat from three-point range, going just 6 of 37 (16.2%) from behind the arc in his lone college season. The potential is certainly there, though, for Sorber to become an NBA contributor even as a somewhat undersized center. Wolf, 21, spent the first two seasons of his college career at Yale before spending his junior season at Michigan. Ultra-skilled for his size at 6-10 and 252 pounds, Wolf averaged 13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 49.7% from the field and 33.6% on threes last season. Wolf's offensive game can help an NBA team in this five-out era, but there are questions about how he will fit into NBA defensive schemes. Wolf also ran into some turnover issues last season at Michigan that he will need to clean up. Beringer, 18, has been rising up draft boards in recent months after earning significant minutes with KK Cedevita Olimpija's senior team last season. Beringer, who grew up in France, is an athletic 6-10 and 252-pound prospect who's projected to be a rim-running big while also having the upside to become an excellent rebounder and quality rim protector. Beringer is seen as more of a project at this stage, but he has the potential to become a solid rotational big man in the NBA. Essengue is an 18-year-old French prospect who spent last season as a rotation player for Ulm in the top German league, averaging 11.1 points, five rebounds, 1.2 assists and one steal per game while shooting 51.1% from the field and 25% on 2.2 three-point attempts per game. But there are questions about which position the 6-foot-9 Essengue will play in the NBA and whether his offensive game is ready for the next level. Like Beringer, Essengue is a project who will likely need some time to develop before becoming a significant contributor in the NBA. WHAT ARE OTHERS SAYING? ESPN's latest mock draft has Murray-Boyles (15th to Oklahoma City Thunder), Newell (18th to Washington Wizards), Sorber (17th to Minnesota Timberwolves), Beringer (14th to San Antonio Spurs) and Essengue (ninth to Toronto Raptors) being selected before the Heat's pick at No. 20. The Ringer's latest mock draft has Wolf (11th to Portland Trail Blazers), Sorber (15th to Thunder) and Murray-Boyles (19th to Brooklyn Nets) being picked ahead of the Heat's selection. The Athletic's latest mock draft has Murray-Boyles (10th to Houston Rockets), Sorber (13th to Atlanta Hawks), Essengue (14th to Spurs) and Wolf (15th to Thunder) being taken before the Heat's pick.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
"Kobe [Bryant] Didn't Play Well": Dwyane Wade Discredits Lakers Legend; Says Pau Gasol Deserved 2010 NBA Finals MVP
"Kobe [Bryant] Didn't Play Well": Dwyane Wade Discredits Lakers Legend; Says Pau Gasol Deserved 2010 NBA Finals MVP originally appeared on Fadeaway World. One of the few achievements that Kobe Bryant was yet to conquer after the 2008 season, when he won the regular season MVP award, was the NBA Finals MVP Award. Bryant appeared in the Finals seven times with the Lakers in his career and only won the award twice, in 2009 and 2010. Advertisement During the 2008 Finals, the Celtics won the championship and Paul Pierce took the Finals MVP award home, but in the 2009 appearance, Bryant finally got the award for the first time in his career. However, the second time he won the award, many people felt that he did not deserve to win the award. And instead, his teammate Pau Gasol should have won it. Among those people is the Heat legend Dwyane Wade. On the latest episode of his podcast, Wade was explaining what Shai Gilgeous-Alexander needs to learn from Kobe Bryant when he recalled his last run in the NBA Finals. While he was trying to teach Gilgeous-Alexander a lesson, he inadvertently discredited the Lakers legend. 'A lot of people don't know that, in that Finals, the last Finals that they won, Kobe didn't play well. Kobe didn't shoot the ball well; actually, everybody thought Pau Gasol should have been the MVP. That's how well Pau was playing, and Kobe was playing awful." "But you never could tell when you turned the TV on that he was struggling. Because his leadership is always there, his intensity is always- that fire is always there. So, because he's 8 for 24 from the field or something like that, you could never tell with a player like Kobe.' Advertisement While Wade was trying to give Gilgeous-Alexander a lesson, he reminded the NBA fans that, essentially, Bryant's impact on his team won him the Finals MVP in 2010. Did Kobe Bryant Deserve The 2010 NBA Finals MVP? Pau Gasol averaged 18.6 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 47.8% from the floor, averaging 12.9 attempts in seven games of the 2010 NBA Finals. Kobe Bryant averaged 28.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in that series. He shot 40.5% from the floor while averaging 23.3 attempts per game, nearly twice as many as Pau Gasol. And while on paper, these numbers don't seem all that bad, Bryant struggled in three of the seven games. Advertisement In Game 2, he shot 40% from the floor (8 for 20) and struggled mainly from beyond the arc, where he went two of seven (28.6%) in that game. In Game 3, he shot 34.5% from the floor (10 of 29) and went one of seven from beyond the arc (14.3%). And in the close-out game, Game 7, Bryant also did not have a particularly memorable performance. He went 6 of 24 in the field (25%) and did not make a single one of his six attempts from beyond the arc. Looking at the facts as shown above, do you agree with Wade that Pau Gasol, not Kobe Bryant, deserved to win the 2010 Finals MVP? In my personal opinion, Bryant still deserved the Finals MVP. The Celtics focused their entire defensive attention on Bryant, which can lead to the argument that his teammates would not get the open looks they did if he did not draw as much attention as he did. He showed up for the team in crucial moments on multiple occasions, including three 30-point games in this series. While he may not have been as efficient as Gasol, he still deserved the award since I can conclusively say the Lakers would not have won the 2010 Finals without Kobe Bryant, but they may have won it with another big instead of Pau Gasol. Related: Former NBA Players Think Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Is The Next Kobe Bryant This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
