Heat may have gifted Kevin Durant to the Rockets if lingering rumors prove true

Just 21 games in the season, it is already beginning to appear as though the Houston Rockets' move for superstar scorer Kevin Durant could certainly become a franchise-defining deal, especially given the vast credence the team has already been granted as a bona-fide championship contender.

Yet, according to NBA Insider Jake Fischer, there is a real possibility that the Miami Heat's decision to not parse out their young core in the Durant sweepstakes, which made the Rockets the victors by default, was a direct result of the covetous eyes that Miami has long-maintained for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Would the Heat's package have ultimately surpassed Houston's in the Phoenix Suns' eyes? It's hard to tell. However, as a sweepstakes to trade for Antetokounmpo becomes more and more of a potential reality, it is clear that the Rockets may have been gifted the piece they needed to change the trajectory of their franchise in the process.

The Heat, for better or worse, are likely saving their trade chips for Giannis Antetokounmpo

Although Miami, along with Houston, was the primary suitor for Durant when the Suns made clear that he would be available this past offseason, their ultimate unwillingness to include Kel'el Ware, or to package Ware with players such as Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic, led Durant right into the Rockets' laps.

While Houston paid no small price for Durant, surrendering Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and the 10th overall pick in last year's draft, the overall lack of suitors who were willing to meet Phoenix's price certainly made the negotiations slightly easier.

Granted, the Heat are now in prime position to enter the sweepstakes for Antetokounmpo, having successfully amassed a core of promising young players and a swathe of draft capital moving forward.

Yet, the Rockets already have their star, and, although he is significantly older than Antetokounmpo is, he is already helping to elevate the team into championship contention (as opposed to discussing the potential of being traded with his front office).

Through his first 19 games as a Rocket, Durant is averaging 25.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting 50.5% from the field and 38.4% from 3-point range. The team is fourth in the NBA in offensive rating and second in defensive rating, and all indications point to them as genuine championship contenders.

Nevertheless, that is largely beside the point.

While we won't be sure what Miami was potentially saving for an Antetokounmpo trade until they offer it to Milwaukee, the Heat were the only team that would have even potentially been willing and able to beat the Rockets' offer for Durant.

Houston fans should be forever grateful that they ultimately chose not to try.