MIAMI — As he works in his role as an ESPN analyst during the NBA Finals, Miami Heat icon Udonis Haslem finds himself continuing to walk the fine line between roles as media personality and the Heat’s Vice President of Basketball Development.

On Friday Haslem was on “The Pat McAfee Show” and was asked about a potential Heat fit for Kevin Duran. ESPN had reported on Friday that the Heat appear to stand with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets as the most aggressive suitors for the Phoenix Suns forward.

With it widely reported that the Suns are working with Durant to relocate the iconic forward ahead of the final year of his contract, Haslem was asked about the 15-time All-Star.

Haslem did not hold back, although he has made clear on multiple occasions that he is not involved with the Heat personnel wing. Teams are not allowed to comment on personnel matters about players under contract to other teams.

“Kevin Durant would fit in anywhere, but definitely I feel like he fits in Miami Heat culture,” said Haslem, who remains part of the culture to the degree that he has worked with the team during practices since retiring in 2023 after a 20-season NBA career, all spent with the Heat. “I can’t speak too much on it, but I would say he’s a guy who comes in and just has to be Kevin Durant.”

Haslem then spoke on it, while flashing his Heat championship rings.

“I’m the Vice President of Player Development. I gotta keep my coins coming in,” he joked of his balancing act and dual salaries . “So what I will say, if he happens to come into the Miami Heat locker room, he comes into a situation where you have a Hall of Fame coach already.”

As in Erik Spoelstra, who worked with Durant as an assistant coach with Team USA’s gold-medal effort at last summer’s Paris Olympics.

“You’ve got a team that has a culture already,” Haslem continued. “So the questions that people have about Kevin Durant: Can Kevin Durant be your leader? He doesn’t have to be a leader in Miami. They already have leadership. They already have a culture. They already have a hell of a head coach.

“Is Kevin Durant going to respect the guy? His accolades, MVPs, Hall of Famer, scoring champion. You can’t just have anyone coach Kevin Durant.

“Yes, the situation in Miami will work.”

Ultimately, Haslem said, it does not matter what he believes is best for Durant or even why the Heat might be best, but rather what Durant believes is best.

“Kevin Durant,” Haslem said, “has put himself in a situation where he’s earned the right to pick and choose where he wants to go.”

Durant is under contract to the Suns at $54.7 million for next season, then eligible to hit free agency in the 2026 offseason. Turning 37 in September, Durant would be eligible in July to sign a two-year, $112 million extension with an acquiring team.

The Heat have a variety of contracts and draft picks to put in play for Durant, including veteran players such as Andrew Wiggins, Duncan Robinson and Terry Rozier, as well as developing prospects such as Kel’el Ware, Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez Jr.

The timetable for a Durant trade seemingly could revolve around the June 25 first round of the NBA draft, with the Heat holding the No. 20 selection.