For some NBA fans, tanking is a dirty word. That’s the practice of losing games on purpose. The idea for tanking teams is to maximize their odds of finding top talent in the lottery.
Some fans hate the practice. For that matter, so do some teams. It feels like certain front offices refuse to tank – whether their team would benefit from doing so or not.
Take the Chicago Bulls. Fans have been calling for this team to start rebuilding for years. Instead, the Bulls seem intent on putting together the most competitive product that they can. If they continue down that path this summer, could they acquire Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat?
NBA Trade Proposal
Miami Heat Receive: G/F Zach LaVine, 2026 First-Round Pick (CHI)
Chicago Bulls Receive: G/F Jimmy Butler
Perhaps the Bulls should tank. On the other hand, some teams have found success without going that route. They’ve maintained a competitive edge and retooled when necessary.
Take the Heat. This team never tanks. The Heat put a competitive product on the floor every year. Sometimes that means title contention. Other times, that means hanging around the bottom of the playoff race.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets Updates
With that said, the Heat have some built-in advantages. Stars want to play in Miami. By contrast, the Bulls have struggled to attract top-end talent in recent years. Should they reunite with Butler anyway?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
Frankly, the Bulls should probably rebuild. Let’s assume that’s not an option. Let’s assume that the Bulls want to be as good as they can be in 2024-25.
Why not bring Butler back? Sure, he’s aging. He’s still a more well-rounded player than LaVine. Butler impacts the game by scoring, defending, and making plays. LaVine is more one-dimensional in comparison.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets Updates
Sure, the Bulls are giving up a first-round pick. They won’t tank anyway, remember? Besides, a team headed by Butler, DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, and Alex Caruso could be formidable. Should the Heat help the Bulls put that team together?
Why The Miami Heat Do The Deal
Last season, the Heat made the play-in tournament. They’d go on to reach the NBA Finals. It was one of the most impressive underdog runs we’ve seen in NBA history.
It also seems likely that this was this current team’s ceiling. If so, the Heat may want to make a move this summer. Parting with Butler would sting, but if they’re getting back a younger player and an unprotected first, they could consider that course of action.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets Updates
That’s what they’re getting here. Meanwhile, LaVine could learn a lot in Miami’s system. If they can round him into a better player, who knows? The Heat could avoid tanking for a few more years – if not permanently.
