Pat Riley Drops Hints About Superstar Player He Could Target for Miami Heat

The Miami Heat were forced to trade Jimmy Butler this past season to the Golden State Warriors as the ornery veteran got tired of the situation in South Beach. But team president Pat Riley is not one to sit tight and patiently wait things out for another superstar to come along.

Based on comments that Riley made last week, he'll be out to secure one this summer, and it appears that Kevin Durant is firmly on his radar:

Pat Riley says that “I still think an aging player can play” and that the Heat would be open to pursue one.

Wasn’t mentioned, but Kevin Durant’s name fits the bill. #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/Rc2Fi1hHmM
— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) May 9, 2025

At first, he began by referring to the play of Butler and Steph Curry (before his injury) during the current playoffs: “I think an aging great, great player, who may not be able to carry a team... can rise to the occasion in the playoffs,” said Riley.

Pat Riley aiming for Kevin Durant this summer?

But then that's where things got interesting, as he turned to his plans for the Heat:

"For us, yes. If that player is the right name, and the contract is the right length, ya, I still think that an aging player can play... It’s incredible that players like LeBron and others that have played into their mid to late 30s and produced at a high level can help teams win championships. You have to pick out the right one, but I’m not against that, no.”

As noted by Zachary Weinberger, and also cited by Adam Taylor in heavy.com, yes, it certainly sounds like Riley is talking about Kevin Durant. He's the 'right name,' and his contract is the 'right length', as it has just one year remaining (at $54 million). He also has two championships on his resume.

So is a trade for Durant in the cards for the Heat this offseason? If you read between the lines, Riley certainly thinks so.