Miami Heat linked to Durant-Irving duo with Giannis, Adebayo
The Miami Heat are being linked to a potential midseason pursuit of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving — a future Hall of Fame duo with a combined $848 million in career earnings — to pair with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. Radio insider Brendan Tobin and league observers say both stars could become deadline swing targets after Miami's Giannis blockbuster and Klay Thompson signing.
Key Takeaways
- Miami already traded for Giannis Antetokounmpo and signed Klay Thompson this offseason after missing the playoffs.
- Insider Brendan Tobin named Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving as possible Heat trade targets if their current situations sour.
- Durant and Irving have earned a combined $848M in NBA salaries and would join Giannis and Bam Adebayo if a deal materialized.
- ESPN experts listed Miami among eight teams likely to make a splash before the February trade deadline.
- Any Durant trade would be complicated by salary matching and limited assets Miami spent on the Giannis deal.
Why Are the Heat Linked to Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving?
After missing the playoffs last season, the Miami Heat remade their roster in a major way. They acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis from the Milwaukee Bucks in a deal that sent Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis and multiple draft picks to Milwaukee, per ESPN.
The Heat also signed four-time champion Klay Thompson on a first-year salary of $5.6 million, preserving roster flexibility. With free agency largely settled, attention has turned to the trade deadline.
Miami radio personality Brendan Tobin said Durant and Irving "could be primed to be a Heat swing if it doesn't go well for whatever reason." He added he was "getting hit up on the Kyrie Irving thing nonstop" and that pairing the duo with Antetokounmpo would be "unbelievably cool."
Could Miami Afford Durant and Irving After the Giannis Trade?
Pulling off another star trade will not be easy. Miami went all in on Giannis, trading away rotation players and future picks that would normally serve as trade chips.
Kevin Durant's massive contract creates matching problems. Heavy.com reported the Heat might need to include Bam Adebayo — whom Pat Riley previously called untouchable — or construct a multi-team framework involving Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell plus assets from other franchises.
Kyrie Irving may represent a more realistic target. The Dallas Mavericks are rebuilding around Cooper Flagg, while Durant's relationship with the Houston Rockets could fray if that team struggles again.
What Would a Durant-Irving Deal Mean for Bam Adebayo?
On paper, a core of Durant, Irving, Antetokounmpo and Adebayo would rank among the most talented quartets ever assembled. Durant and Irving's combined $848 million in career earnings underscores the star power involved.
Yet salary mechanics could force Miami to choose. Including Adebayo in a Durant trade would cost the Heat their starting center and create a new roster hole. Durant could also force his way to Miami — he previously listed the Heat among preferred destinations while with the Brooklyn Nets.
When Might the Heat Make Another Blockbuster Move?
ESPN polled experts on which teams will make deadline splashes, and Miami joined Golden State, Detroit, Boston, Houston, Denver, Memphis, Sacramento and Toronto on the list. Analysts note the Heat's biggest gap is at point guard, where Davion Mitchell may not be enough of a table-setter to maximize Antetokounmpo.
Miami may experiment through the early 2026-27 season before deciding. History suggests an elite facilitator can unlock a frontcourt star — Milwaukee's Jrue Holiday trade helped elevate Giannis to a championship. The Heat could revisit a reunion with free agent Gabe Vincent or swing for Irving, Holiday or another All-NBA guard by mid-February.
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