Because of their location, the Miami Heat are almost always the preferred destination for stars on the trade market.
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan has the Heat and the New York Knicks on his list of preferred trade destinations.
“When it comes to possible destinations, the Heat and Knicks are known to be preferable to DeRozan if he winds up getting moved,” he said.
It remains to be seen whether the Bulls are willing to sever an expensive payroll.
DeRozan is in the final year of his deal and will be an unrestricted free agent next summer. So, he’s potentially available without sacrificing tangible assets, but does it make sense for the Heat?
In the playoffs, stars who can create their own shots, as DeRozan has done for years, are needed.
The issue is that DeRozan’s game is far too similar to Jimmy Butler’s in that both excel in the midrange and paint.
That doesn’t include Bam Adebayo, who works in the same area as standout rookie Jaime Jaquez. Even with Duncan Robinson’s return, the court spacing would be absurd.
It’s best not to turn your nose up at a player of DeRozan’s caliber. He’s on pace to average at least 20 points once more. However, the roster fit in this case does not appear to be correct on paper.
Forbes Sports’ Evan Sidery proposed the following trade package:
Demar DeRozan and Alex Caruso join the Heat.
The Bulls receive Kyle Lowry, Nikola Jovic, and a first-round pick in 2029.
Regardless of fit, that deal appears to be a no-brainer now because it would immediately put the Heat back in the NBA Finals conversation.
Devin Brown is an Inside The Heat contributor. You can reach him at [email protected] or on Twitter @dbrwnjr.
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