In the NBA, teammates don’t have to be friends. Yet, it’s beneficial when they are. If a pair of teammates have chemistry off the court, it will often be reflected in the games. Coaches love to see their players getting along.
With that said, few players have grown as close as Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan did as team-mates on the Toronto Raptors.
They grew quite close after playing competitive basketball together for years. In the end, they’d be forced to split up. How have their careers gone since?
Well, Lowry has been a key cog on some contenders – and even an NBA champion. On the other hand, DeRozan has been on some mediocre teams, but he’s certainly put up more impressive individual stats.
Could the two be traded for each other soon?
NBA Trade Proposal: Miami Heat Land Chicago Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan
Chicago Bulls Receive: G Kyle Lowry, 2029 First-Round Pick (Swap – MIA)
Miami Heat Receive: G/F DeMar DeRozan
Friendship is nice. Chemistry is important. In the NBA, talent comes first. Roster construction comes second. When the Raptors traded DeRozan, they improved by both measures.
As talented as DeRozan is, he can be a difficult piece to work into a puzzle. By contrast, Kawhi Leonard was a skeleton key in his prime.
He could play with anyone – and in simpler terms, he was better than DeRozan. Leonard’s brief stay in Toronto was the primary reason that Lowry is now an NBA champion.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat Updates
Are championships the sole measure of a career? Absolutely not. Still, we’re sure DeRozan would like a chance to win a ring. Could he get one in Miami?
Why The Miami Heat Do The Deal
Let’s talk more about DeRozan’s difficulty playing with others. He’s been averse to shooting threes for his entire NBA career. Offensively, that means that he’s a lead player who can’t scale down into a reserve role.
That could make him a difficult fit alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. We understand that. We still think that Miami should go for DeRozan.
After all, they’re not going to find a player as talented as he is at this price otherwise, and the Heat are low on assets. Moreover, we think Erik Spoelstra could make it work.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat Updates
Miami may need to go find a cheap shooter or two after making this move, but if they can, they’ll have three strong playmakers to stagger. With some creativity, that could give them a potent attack.
Should the Bulls help them put that together?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
The Bulls need to rebuild. Virtually everybody agrees on that. They’re likely to move DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Alex Caruso before the year is out. What should they expect for DeRozan?
Less than they’ll get for the other two. Those same limitations we discussed will hinder DeRozan’s value – as will his subpar defense.
Meanwhile, he’s also on an expiring contract. Teams won’t break the bank for a potential one-year rental. So, the Bulls are getting a distant swap for him.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat Updates
They’re also getting an expiring contract in Lowry who could be a valuable mentor for a soon-to-be young team. They just have to send the Heat his friend in order to land him.
