Proposed Blockbuster Trade Lands Harden and DeRozan in Miami

The Miami Heat can't seem to catch a break this offseason. After it was heavily rumored that they were Damian Lillard's top choice for a new home, the Milwaukee Bucks ended up landing him. The Heat had a second opportunity to acquire a star point guard in Jrue Holiday, who was highly anticipated to join them. However, they once again lost out on him when he was traded to the Boston Celtics. With these two new "super teams" emerging, the Miami Heat may be compelled to part ways with their draft capital and young players just to compete at the same level as the Bucks and Celtics, let alone contend for a championship.

James Harden has made it abundantly clear that he no longer wants to play for the Philadelphia 76ers. From calling the president of basketball operations in Philadelphia, Daryl Morey, a liar to stating that he wants to play for the Los Angeles Clippers, it's likely that he'll be traded before the trade deadline. The team needs to move on from him and acquire complementary pieces to support Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

The Chicago Bulls have hit a rough patch since acquiring DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic. Although they are no longer favorites for lottery picks, they have fallen short of their expectations. It may be time to consider parting ways with one of the two and acknowledge that they are a rebuilding team in need of rebuilding their lost assets.

This proposed 3-team trade has the potential to solve all of their problems and offer a completely different outlook for these teams:


Chicago Bulls Receive:
Duncan Robinson, Caleb Martin, P.J. Tucker, 2027 First-Round Pick (MIA), 2029 First-Round Pick (MIA)

Philadelphia 76ers Receive:
Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry, 2028 First-Round Pick Swap (MIA)

Miami Heat Receive:
James Harden, DeMar DeRozan

The Chicago Bulls Start from Zero:

Accepting an offer like this marks the initial stage of what will likely be a somewhat painful process for the Chicago Bulls. Nevertheless, considering the team's current direction, which seems to be leading nowhere and deteriorating with each passing year, this trade provides some value. Despite not receiving the ideal return, you will acquire two reliable 3-point shooters, a veteran player, and some much-needed draft picks.

However, for this plan to succeed, the Bulls would need to trade Nikola Vucevic and potentially Zach Lavine if they were to fully commit to a rebuilding strategy. Keeping these two star players would likely hinder the Bulls from obtaining higher draft picks. This potential rebuild could place the Bulls in a situation similar to the Oklahoma City Thunder, accumulating numerous draft picks and eventually constructing a team around promising young talent.

The Philadelphia 76ers Have a New Young Guard Duo

The 76ers appear to have attempted to explore options with the Clippers, but the Clippers essentially depleted their assets in acquiring Paul George, thereby limiting the potential return they could offer for Harden. Although this trade may set them back a bit, it's still a more favorable option compared to most offers they are likely to receive.

Herro and Harden's averages actually aren't that far apart, with 20.1 PPG and 5.4 RPG, against 21.0 PPG and 6.1 RPG, respectively. The biggest difference is assists, where Herro isn't close to Harden's league leading 10.7 APG. This role will most likely be shared between Herro and Maxey.

In addition, they would also acquire Kyle Lowry, an exceptional veteran player, to bolster their bench. With players like Kyle Lowry, Patrick Beverley, and De'Anthony Melton, they would boast one of the league's top trios of rotation backcourt players.

The Miami Heat become the Favourites of the East

The Heat have been in search of a floor general for what feels like an eternity. Furthermore, they lack forwards who can match Jimmy Butler's caliber as a player. In this deal, they could fulfill both of these needs by acquiring James Harden and DeMar DeRozan.

DeMar averaged 24.5 PPG and has had some of his most efficient years in Chicago. With four players capable of potentially scoring 20+ points each, James Harden would have numerous opportunities to distribute the ball, making their offence incredibly difficult to defend against. While they might lose key role players and draft picks in this trade, the Heat have a track record of effectively acquiring such assets in free agency.

A Deal with No Losers

While it may appear that the Chicago Bulls are receiving less in this trade, this is a crucial step for any team undergoing a rebuilding process. Rebuilding teams often need to part ways with their "star players" until they amass enough assets to construct a competitive roster once again. Who knows? This strategy could yield results similar to what we've seen with the Brooklyn Nets or the Oklahoma City Thunder.

While in the short term, this trade might not offer the Philadelphia 76ers the ideal immediate benefits, it positions them to be competitive for a more extended period compared to retaining James Harden. Moreover, it's crucial for them to move on from Harden before his trade value diminishes further.

The Miami Heat could potentially have the last laugh after missing out on Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday. It's a pivotal moment for Pat Riley to provide Jimmy Butler with the opportunity he rightfully deserves, giving him a chance to go beyond just making it to the NBA Finals.

Credits:
Fadeaway World