Former NBA center Hassan Whiteside recently shared insights on Kevin Durant nearly joining the Miami Heat.
Whiteside revealed that he was willing to take a pay cut to create cap space for Durant after LeBron James left Miami for Cleveland.
“A lot of people forget that [Chris] Bosh was on that team. Kevin Durant came and took the meeting,” Whiteside said during his appearance on The OGs Show.
He expressed his commitment to winning, stating, “I told Pat [Riley], I said if KD comes, I’ll take less money.”
Whiteside highlighted what the Heat’s lineup could have looked like if Durant had joined, saying, “We would’ve had Goran [Dragic], D-Wade, Kevin Durant, Chris Bosh, and me at the five.”
The potential addition of Durant to a core that included Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh could have redefined Miami’s post-LeBron era.
Udonis Haslem, reflecting on the possibility, noted that Durant would have faced immense pressure in Miami due to the legacy James left behind.
Haslem mentioned that matching LeBron’s achievements—two championships and four consecutive Finals appearances—would have been an expectation for Durant.
Whiteside’s willingness to take a pay cut underscores the lengths players are willing to go in pursuit of championships.
Durant’s decision ultimately changed the course of both his career and the Heat’s trajectory during that time.
The potential of having Durant on the Heat’s roster remains a fascinating “what if” scenario in NBA history.
While Durant chose a different path, the meeting itself highlights the Heat’s efforts to maintain their dominance in the league.
Had Durant joined, the Heat might have continued their dominance in the East, further solidifying their legacy in the 2010s.
