Heat legend Dwyane Wade reveals why Kevin Durant would never join organization

Feb 14, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Western Conference forward Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder (35) dribbles the ball in front of Eastern Conference guard Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat (3) in the third quarter during the NBA All Star Game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-Imagn Images

The Miami Heat were one of the teams that were linked to Kevin Durant prior to his trade to the Houston Rockets. While the 15-time All-Star was moved for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and five second-round picks, Miami was reportedly unwilling to include much of their young talent in the deal.

Despite the reported mutual interest between the two sides, Heat legend Dwyane Wade believes that Durant would never play for the organization for one simple reason.

"I said this 10 years ago when the Heat were trying to get him… he’s not following LeBron," Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade stated. "Why are we recruiting somebody who’s not doing that? I didn’t like it then, and I didn’t like it now. I’m glad he’s in Houston. That ain’t it."

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While Durant was said to have the Heat among the three teams he was willing to join, Wade believes that his reported interested may be overstated. There have also been conflicting reports about how interested Miami's front office truly was in the future Hall of Famer.

In addition to reports that the Heat were unwilling to include Kel'el Ware in trade talks, Shams Charania of ESPN reported that they did not offer Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, Haywood Highsmith, the No. 20 pick or other draft assets in a potential deal. Ultimately, it is unclear what Miami offered, however, it has been reported that they only made one first-round draft pick available.

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