One NBA writer is proposing a blockbuster trade between the Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers. Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed that the Heat acquire Damian Lillard, the Blazers acquire James Harden and the Sixers acquire Zach LaVine.
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: James Harden’s expiring contract (can be flipped later), Kyle Lowry’s expiring contract, Jaime Jacquez, Nikola Jović, a 2028 first-round pick from Miami, a 2030 first-round pick from Miami and a 2030 second-round pick from Chicago
Miami Heat Receive: Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkić, a 2029 second-round pick from Philadelphia and a 2028 second-round pick from Chicago
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Zach LaVine, Tyler Herro and a 2029 second-round pick from Portland
Chicago Bulls Receive: Tobias Harris’ expiring contract, Caleb Martin, Keon Johnson, a 2029 first-round pick swap with the 76ers and a 2030 first-round pick from Philadelphia
Lillard has requested a trade from the Blazers and wants to get traded to the Heat, while Harden has requested a trade from the Sixers and prefers to get traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. Thus far, neither Lillard nor Harden is close to being traded.
Meanwhile, the Bulls have engaged several teams on LaVine trade opportunities since the 2022-23 NBA season ended. The UCLA product is “not happy” his name keeps coming up in trade rumors, a league source told NBA Analysis Network, so his future is something to keep an eye on.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Damian Lillard & Zach LaVine Updates
Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists for the Blazers last season. He only wants to get traded to the Heat so he can play with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Even though Lillard doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, many people around the NBA believe the future Hall of Famer will get his wish and land with the Heat eventually.
Harden is extremely upset at the way in which the Sixers handled his possible free agency and has made his dissatisfaction clear to the franchise by requesting a trade. The 2017-18 NBA MVP averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists last season. Harden intends to “never wear” a Sixers uniform again, sources told NBA Analysis Network.
LaVine averaged 24.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Bulls in 2022-23. He will make $40 million next season. Chicago missed the NBA playoffs this year after making it in 2022, which is why some NBA execs thought the franchise would rebuild this offseason.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Damian Lillard & Zach LaVine Updates
It’s going to be fascinating to see where Lillard, Harden and LaVine are playing next season. Lillard and Harden don’t want to stay with their current team, while LaVine hasn’t been pleased by the Bulls’ actions behind the scenes.
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