The Heat once smashed Butler + first round + Richardson for Durant but failed, and they want to make a comeback in the offseason and chase again

According to Heat reporters Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang, the Maihuo offered the Suns a offer to exchange Butler for Durant on the NBA trade deadline in February this year.

Butler applied for a deal from the Heat at that time and was interested in joining the Suns. But the Heat and the Suns failed to reach a deal, and the Heat then traded Butler to the Warriors. The Suns will trade Durant this offseason, and the Heat once again develop trading interest in the two-time Finals MVP.

Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang wrote: "According to sources, the Heat's offer includes Butler (who was subsequently traded to the Warriors), Josh Richardson, a first-round pick and possibly another chip." There were other reports that the Heat proposed to use Jovic as the fourth chip, but this statement was publicly denied by a close associate around Butler.

Durant has one year left in his contract, and the future Hall of Famer will earn $54.7 million next season. Durant has played for the Thunder, Warriors, Nets and Suns and will turn 37 in September. This season, he averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game for the Suns, shooting 52.7% from the field, 43.0% from three-point shooting percentage and 83.9% from free throw percentage.

According to ESPN reporter Shams, the Rockets, Spurs, Heat, Timberwolves and the Knicks have expressed interest in Durant. The Suns have met with Durant's business partner, Boardroom CEO Rich Kleiman, several times in the past week and are colouring various trading plans.

The Suns missed the playoffs this season, while the Cavaliers swept the Heat in the first round of the playoffs. Durant has won two championships and two Finals MVPs with the Warriors, and has never reached the division finals since leaving the Warriors to join the Nets in the summer of 2019. During Butler's era, the Heat made two NBA Finals (2020, 2023) but both failed.