Miami Heat Receive: G Zach LaVine, NOP 2021 2nd Round Pick (swap, Chicago outgoing)
Chicago Bulls Receive: F Andre Iguodala, F Duncan Robinson, G Kendrick Nunn, MIA 2022 1st Round Pick
So far this year, Miami has been a very hot-and-cold type of team and while Jimmy Butler missing some games due to injury definitely does not help, it still seems like this team is missing something. Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson are two young players with a lot of promise moving forward and Bam Adebayo definitely looks like he could continue being an All-Star big man, but all together, there is not much of a “wow-factor” about this team.
When you compare them to the likes of the Nets or the Bucks, sure all three of these teams can make a legit case to win the championship this year, but the Nets and Bucks have established stars on their team that you can count on. While Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo are fantastic, All-Star players, the same cannot be said for their team.
While he has not been an All-Star yet, Zach LaVine can provide that spark for the Heat that can begin separating them from the rest of the league into the top tier of teams. He possesses All-Star-like talent and given his natural offensive abilities and mentality to always score, he could be the workhorse the Heat have been looking for over the years.
The only thing about this trade from the Heat’s perspective though is that they would have to give up quite a bit to get him. In doing so, they would not only have to want to keep LaVine in their long-term plans, but they would have to get a commitment from him ahead of time that he would be willing to sign with Miami long-term.
Giving up all three guys in Iguodala, Robinson and Nunn would not be easy for Miami. Each guy holds a big role on their current roster and both Robinson and Nunn are two young players that can be championship-type players for the Heat both now and in the future.
Duncan Robinson is a three-point machine, as he finished tied for third in made three’s and fourth in three-point shooting percentage last season. Kendrick Nunn was an undrafted rookie for the Heat last year and after being slept on for years, was given a chance to prove himself and made the most of it. Last season, he averaged 15.3 points, 3.3 assists, shot 43.9% from the floor and 35% from three-point range and was the runner up for Rookie of the Year behind the winner, Ja Morant.
What Chicago would be receiving for Zach LaVine could be integral to their success moving forward, as they already have a stockpile of young talent and adding more high-level, young talent could be exactly what this team needs moving forward. With that being said, let’s take a closer look at how this trade benefits both the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls.
