As the Houston Rockets brought in Kevin Durant in a blockbuster trade this offseason, the organization knew that they were taking a measured risk in attempting to extend the superstar beyond this season.
The Miami Heat, who missed out on Durant in the original trade sweepstakes and have been rumored to be eyeing him if he gets to free agency next offseason, have forgotten that cap space no longer has the same sway it used to in modern free agency.
Therefore, given the recent trends on the open market across the league in recent seasons, the overwhelmingly most likely outcome remains that Durant will re-sign in Houston, meaning that Miami could be laboring in vain.