And yet, the deal still underwhelmed. Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and the No. 10 pick represent only a fraction of the value that the Suns paid to get Durant in 2023, and do little to launch the rebuild the Suns needed. This raises a few important questions surrounding the negotiations, starting with why Phoenix would even take so little.

The Miami Heat had the option to try to trade for Kevin Durant while keeping Kel'el Ware, ESPN's Shams Charania said on Monday's episode of the Pat McAfee Show.

There was mutual interest between Durant and the Heat, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported, but Miami declined the chance to send Jaime Jacquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, Haywood Highsmith, the No. 20 pick and other draft assets to the Suns in a deal.