Durant is the biggest name on the market and is the best available asset to get a team on the cusp of a championship over the hump.

The Miami Heat are competing with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets as the top teams favored to acquire Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant. Unsurp

Meanwhile, Minnesota adds Durant to Anthony Edwards to form a lethal one-two punch, with a chance to retain upcoming free agents Julius Randle and Naz Reid. The Timberwolves would be top-heavy, especially if Nickeil Alexander-Walker departs in free agency as expected, but it would be quite difficult for anyone to get stops against that offense.

While the Knicks could offer the Suns a center like Mitchell Robinson or Karl-Anthony Towns, Phoenix likely wants draft capital in a return for Durant. New York is a little strapped for draft picks after acquiring forward Mikal Bridges last offseason.

Stephen A. Smith believes one team needs Kevin Durant more than any other — and he laid out exactly why Miami should be pushing hardest to land him.

Phoenix traded away Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four unprotected first-round draft picks (2023, 2025, 2027, and 2029) and a 2028 first-round pick swap to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Durant and T.J. Warren in Feb. 2023.