It’s an age-old question in NBA circles – is it better to build a contender, or buy one?

Some teams opt for the former route. They’ll meticulously draft players who fit the program they’re building, aiming to build a group that fits together and plays with chemistry. There’s merit in that approach.

On the other hand, some contenders opt to just put the most talented group together that they can – by any means necessary. 

On the other hand, maybe it’s not a zero-sum game. Realistically, most contenders build to a point and then buy the last piece that vaults them into contention.

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For example, look at the Cleveland Cavaliers. Having traded for Donovan Mitchell this summer, they’ll hope to join the ranks of championship hopefuls in 2022-23. 

The Miami Heat are similarly built, having traded for Jimmy Butler to vault themselves into contention in 2019. Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets will hope to eventually position themselves to make a similar move. Currently, they’re in the early stages of a rebuild. 

Here’s a deal between all three of those squads that should align with their organizational goals.