Why the Heat and Raptors are hesitant to release for Kevin Durant

With the 2025 NBA Draft just five days away, Kevin Durant remains in Phoenix. And it’s not for lack of interest and reportedly among the interested parties are the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors. Neither though seem willing to meet the Suns’ price... at least not yet.

Ware not moving from Miami

For Miami, part of the hold-up is Kel’el Ware. The 7-footer out of Indiana impressed during his rookie season, stepping into the starting lineup mid-year and averaging 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and over a block per game on efficient shooting. He fits perfectly in a Durant-led frontcourt. And team president Pat Riley is said to be refusing to include him in any trade package, instead offering a combination of Terry Rozier, Duncan Robinson, and first-round picks.

It’s a familiar pattern for Miami, which also balked at surrendering key assets in failed pursuits of Damian Lillard and Donovan Mitchell. The question is whether Phoenix will blink first and accept a picks-based deal without Ware.

Poeltl in discussion

Toronto’s stance is more puzzling. The Raptors have made the playoffs once in five years and aren’t close to contending. Yet they’re reportedly unwilling to trade veteran center Jakob Poeltl. Solid as he is, Poeltl isn’t exactly the type of piece that should block a deal for a generational scorer like Durant.

Both teams seem to want Durant. But if they keep trying to negotiate around the core of what Phoenix wants, they may find themselves on the outside looking in... again.

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