Kevin Durant’s decision to join the Houston Rockets instead of the Miami Heat this summer has sparked plenty of discussion across the NBA. For some, Miami seemed like the perfect destination. But according to two voices with inside perspective, former Heat guard Mario Chalmers, Durant was never going to pick Miami, and the reason comes down to LeBron James.
Chalmers, who played alongside LeBron during the Heat’s four consecutive Finals trips from 2011 to 2014, was blunt when speaking with NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson.
“No, I wasn’t surprised. I’ve been saying it for years. I don’t think KD ever goes to the Heat just because of the LeBron legacy. He’s gotta win two or more championships before he goes to the Heat so, I don’t think that pressures warranted at this age or at this time so I’d never thought that he’d go to Heat. “
That sentiment lines up with what Dwyane Wade has said before. On the Time Out podcast earlier this summer, the Hall of Famer explained why Miami’s pursuit of Durant was always doomed.
The point is simple: Miami is still LeBron’s town in many ways. His four years there produced two championships and helped define an era of the NBA. Even though LeBron has been gone for over a decade, his shadow remains large.
For Durant, who has spent much of his career battling comparisons to James, joining the Heat would have been seen as walking directly into his rival’s legacy rather than carving out his own.
Durant has always chased independence when it comes to his legacy. Leaving Oklahoma City for Golden State was about winning titles on his own terms, even if critics called it a shortcut.
Joining Brooklyn was about creating something new from scratch, even though it fell apart. Now, at 36, with limited time left at his peak, Durant’s move to Houston represents another chance at being the centerpiece of a franchise with championship aspirations.
In Miami, no matter what Durant accomplished, he would have been judged against LeBron’s run. Even multiple titles wouldn’t necessarily have lifted him above James in Heat lore, and Durant has always seemed unwilling to play second fiddle in that kind of narrative.
For the Heat, Durant’s decision stings, but it’s not entirely surprising. Pat Riley has always swung big, but Miami needs a star who wants to fully embrace the city and its culture without worrying about what came before. For Durant, Houston offered a fresh start without the baggage of LeBron comparisons.
At this stage of his career, Durant is choosing his own path rather than chasing someone else’s. And while Miami seemed like a natural suitor on paper, LeBron’s enduring legacy there was always going to keep Kevin Durant away.
