Miami Heat Rumors: Heat Serious about Landing Kevin Durant in 2016

The Miami Heat are reportedly very serious about chasing Kevin Durant when he becomes a free agent in 2016. Zach Lowe of Grantland argued that even though it might be hard for the Heat to sign him, Miami president Pat Riley will still try to give him the best offer that he can muster up.

Lowe wrote:

"One star changes everything, and Riley gets stars. Next summer, Miami could open up nearly $40 million in cap room, and as much as $45 million if it moves [Josh] McRoberts for extra cap space. That's a ton, but if [Hassan] Whiteside has even a solid season, it's not enough to bring back both Whiteside and [Dwyane] Wade while signing an outside star; the Heat will not have full Bird rights on Whiteside, meaning they will have to dip into cap space to re-sign him.

Consider one example: Durant's max salary for 2016-17 will be about $25 million, leaving $15 million or $20 million to split between Wade and Whiteside. That won't do it, unless Wade takes a massive hometown discount. (By the way: Rail against the Durant rumor mill if you want, but you're kidding yourselves if you don't think Riley will set Miami up to make a run at him.)"

As a part of their effort to get Durant, the Heat are pushing for deals for Mario Chalmers and/or Chris Anderson, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald wrote. Both players, however, are not drawing enough interests.

Durant will be one of the most coveted free agents next summer.