The Miami Heat are hoping to remain competitive in the East before they eventually lose Jimmy Butler to trade or free agency. While the Heat are gauging the market for potential Butler deals, they don’t need to rush to a decision. Instead of moving off Butler for unconvincing assets that leave them stranded in the middle of the East, they can make a move to inch closer to the top by making a statement to win.
The Chicago Bulls are one of the teams stuck in the middle of the East with a roster that’s good enough to compete for the Play-In Tournament but not good enough to compete in the Playoffs. Nikola Vucevic has rediscovered his pre-Chicago form when he was a two-time All-Star, leading to the Bulls potentially offloading the 34-year-old center to the right team.
Trade Details
Miami Heat Receive: Nikola Vucevic, Torrey Craig
Chicago Bulls Receive: Duncan Robinson, Kel’el Ware, 2026 Second-Round Pick (LAL), 2027 Second-Round Pick (SAS), 2031 Second-Round Pick (IND)
The Heat can finally move Bam Adebayo to power forward after slight sightings of an improved jump shot and him excelling as a free-roam defender instead of being responsible for providing verticality at the rim as the only capable big man on the roster. Vucevic would greatly enhance the Heat’s middling offense while potentially unlocking Adebayo to reach great heights.
The Heat Add A New Element
The Heat have had a relatively stable core for the last few seasons, with the team effortlessly plugging in new rotational players whenever anyone leaves. That won’t be as easy if Butler leaves, so instead of throwing away what could be a productive year with Butler on the roster by trading him, the Heat makes this win-now move to maximize this season by assembling a talented collection of top-end stars to share production as Butler’s role is lessened.
Vucevic is averaging 21.1 points and 9.6 rebounds this season. He’s arguably been the best player on the Bulls this season and would be a phenomenal addition to the Heat. He adds a new dimension to their post offense, with the ability to plug in off-ball as well with his diverse skill-set, decent passing, and shotmaking ability. It would also lead to Adebayo becoming the team’s power forward, freeing him up defensively.
Bam will have an opportunity to up his offensive production after having a tough season. He has been showing flashes of a jump shot, so the addition of Vucevic will force him to become more comfortable with using it in games.Â
Torrey Craig would be a great veteran addition on the wing as an alternate power forward option in lineups where either Vucevic or Adebayo are on the bench. He’s averaging 5.2 points and 2.2 rebounds on 38.9% from three this season.
The Bulls Start To Blow It Up And Acquire Young Pieces
The 34-year-old Vucevic doesn’t fit any timeline the Bulls are on. They’re not looking to contend now and don’t look to be in a position to contend in the next season or two given their complicated salary situation and another season where their East rivals will have a better shot at a lottery pick than them. This move allows them to start the process of rebuilding through new talent.
Duncan Robinson is averaging 11.1 points this season but will be on an expiring $19 million contract next season. Given his shooting ability, the Bulls could add additional value in a Robinson trade this summer or before the deadline. The bigger get is Kel’el Ware, the 20-year-old the Heat drafted with the No. 15 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.Â
Ware is a talented young big who hasn’t gotten a big opportunity to shine on the competitive Heat. He’ll have room to grow on the Bulls where he could realize his potential as a starting-caliber two-way big with solid shooting ability.Â
The gaggle of second-round picks makes the deal easier to commit to as well, with the Bulls potentially overplaying their hand if they insist on a talented young player and a first-round pick.
A New Style In Miami
The Heat will need to make a pretty major stylistic change to accommodate Vucevic alongside Adebayo, but it would be worthwhile. It’ll force more perimeter responsibilities on Adebayo, who’ll be expected to emerge as a franchise face for the Heat if Butler leaves. His defense is already among the best in the NBA, and having a genuine seven-footer in the paint will help him expand his mid-range and perimeter shooting skills.
Butler would be a great leader for this bunch, being able to connect the high-scoring prowess of Tyler Herro to the frontcourt players as a highly intelligent connective passer with playmaking responsibilities. His scoring has dropped off in recent seasons, so this move would future-proof the Heat by entrusting Adebayo and Vucevic more as well.
Outside the loss of potential upside from Ware to be the complementary big next to Adebayo while also being a long-term replacement, this deal is a slam dunk improvement for the Heat which can propel them into competing for a top-four seed.
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