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 Heat was among the teams that engaged the Suns on a potential trade for Durant after being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in each of the last two seasons. But Miami was only willing to go so far in what players and picks it included in its offer for Durant at this stage of his career, as he’ll turn 37 years old on Sept. 29.

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.