The Bradley Beal trade to the Phoenix Suns has captivated the NBA media and audiences because it once again places the team ahead of the pack in terms of talent. Kevin Durant has yet another superteam to try to win a title with, and whether we like it or not, the superstar forward is always in the midst of constant drama surrounding his teammate’s talent. Even if the Suns now have three elite scorers on one team, the type of dominance they can have is truly impressive.
With Beal out of the trade market, there could be three more All-Star players that are available for the next blockbuster deal. The Bradley Beal trade could kickstart a summer of endless trade news as both conferences shift in terms of title favorites. Even if the Denver Nuggets are the reigning NBA champions, it won’t be easy for them to repeat next year because the Phoenix Suns are in the mix and there could be three more teams that could join them because the next three blockbuster trades could be on the horizon.
It is time to predict the next three blockbuster trades for the available superstars, which will completely change the way the Miami Heat, New York Knicks, and Los Angeles Lakers shape up next season.
Miami Heat Acquire Their Superstar Target
The Miami Heat lost in the 2023 NBA Finals but need to regroup next season with more help around All-Stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. The Heat have been shopping heavily during the offseason, and the fact that they haven’t shown any interest in Bradley Beal means Damian Lillard is the top target and here is how they can acquire him.
Trade Details
Miami Heat Acquire: Damian Lillard
Portland Trail Blazers Acquire: Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry, 2023 First-Round Pick, 2027 First-Round Pick
Damian Lillard is one of the best point guards in the league and would be a great addition to the Miami Heat’s roster, without a doubt. He is a proven scorer and playmaker, averaging 32.2 PPG and 7.3 APG in the 2022-23 season. Pairing him with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo would create a formidable trio that could compete with the best teams in the league, including the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets.
Secondly, Tyler Herro and Kyle Lowry are both good players, but they are not on the same level as Damian Lillard. Herro had a solid season averaging 20.1 PPG, but his health deteriorated during the playoffs, which hurt the team’s chances of winning a championship. Lowry is a veteran point guard who can still contribute, but he is not the same player he was a few years ago, even if he can still contribute in clutch situations. Trading these two players, along with two first-round picks, would be a steep price to pay, but it would be worth it to acquire a player of Lillard’s caliber.
The Miami Heat have a history of making big moves to improve their roster. Before the 2010-11 season, they signed LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh to form a superteam that won two championships. Trading for Damian Lillard would be a similar move that could put the Heat back in championship contention. The NBA is a star-driven league, and having a player like Damian Lillard on the roster would attract other top players to Miami. The Heat have a strong culture and a winning tradition, and adding Lillard to the mix would make them an even more attractive destination for free agents.
Trading Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry, the 2023 First-Round Pick, and the 2027 First-Round Pick for Damian Lillard would be a bold move for the Miami Heat, but it would be worth it to acquire a player of Lillard’s caliber. Pairing him with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo would create a formidable trio that could compete with the best teams in the league, and it would make the Heat an even more attractive destination for free agents that could be available this summer for mid-level and minimum contracts.
Zion Williamson Starts New Phase In New York
Zion Williamson is having a frustrating summer so far, with his alleged affair with an adult actress shocking everybody from the fans to the high-ranking officials for the New Orleans Pelicans franchise. The 2-time All-Star big man has an incredible career ahead of him, but he probably belongs in a new situation for a team of the caliber of the New York Knicks, a franchise the player could want to play for.
Trade Details
New York Knicks Receive: Zion Williamson
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Julius Randle, Obi Toppin, 2024 First-Round Pick from Detroit Pistons, 2024 First-Round Pick from Washington Wizards, 2025 First-Round Pick
Even if the New York Knicks made it to the second round of the playoffs this year, they are still in dire need of a superstar player who can lead them to victory. Zion Williamson is one of the most promising superstar players in the NBA, and he has already shown that he has the potential to be a dominant force on the court. Pairing him with Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett would create a formidable trio that could take the Knicks to new heights.
Julius Randle and Obi Toppin are both talented players, but they are not on the same level as Zion Williamson in terms of offensive skill and athleticism. Randle is a solid scorer and rebounder, but he lacks the explosiveness and athleticism that Zion possesses. Toppin is a promising forward at 25 years old, but he has yet to prove himself at the NBA level. Trading these two players, along with three first-round picks, would be a steep price to pay, but it would be worth it to acquire a player of Zion’s caliber.
Zion’s presence on the court would not only improve the Knicks’ offense, but it would also have a significant impact on their defense. His size, strength, and athleticism would make him a dominant force in the paint, and he would be able to block shots, grab rebounds, and disrupt opposing offenses. Pairing him with Brunson and Barrett would create a versatile and dynamic lineup that could compete with the best teams in the league.
Of course, there are risks involved in making such a trade. Zion has had some injury issues in the past, and there is always the possibility that he could suffer another injury in the future. Additionally, the Knicks would be giving up a lot of assets in exchange for one player, which could hurt their long-term prospects. However, if they believe that Zion is the missing piece that they need to become a championship contender, then it may be worth taking the risk.
Zion’s talent and potential make him a valuable asset, and pairing him with Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett would create a formidable trio that could take the Knicks to a top-four seed in the East going forward because only the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks can compete with them in terms of raw talent. While there are risks involved, the potential rewards make this trade worth considering.
Lakers Create Big Three With Zach LaVine
The Los Angeles Lakers desperately need a third star to help LeBron James and Anthony Davis win a title with the championship window closing by the month. The Lakers made a great run to the Western Conference Finals this season, but they needed more star power to get over the hump and make the Finals for the first time since 2020. Luckily, All-Star shooting guard Zach LaVine could be available and he fits perfectly alongside James and Davis.
Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Zach LaVine
Chicago Bulls Receive: D’Angelo Russell (Sign and Trade), Austin Reaves, Malik Beasley, 2024 Second-Round Draft Pick from Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Lakers are a team that is looking to improve their roster and compete for the championship next season after a promising run to the Western Conference Finals. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the way, the Lakers have a solid foundation to build upon. However, they could use some additional scoring and playmaking to take their team to the next level. This is where Zach LaVine comes in.
LaVine is a dynamic scorer who can create his own shot and knock down shots from beyond the arc. He has improved his playmaking ability in recent years and would be a great fit alongside James and Davis. LaVine averaged 24.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 4.2 APG on 48.5% FG, 37.5% 3-PT FG, and 84.8% FT. These are All-Star numbers for a player who already has two appearances to his name at 28 years old.
However, in order to acquire LaVine, the Lakers would need to give up some assets. D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Malik Beasley, and a second-round pick would be a fair package for the Chicago Bulls to consider. Russell is a talented guard who could be used in a sign-and-trade deal, while Reaves and Beasley are players with potential. Reaves specifically is looking for a $100 million contract and is only getting better as he approaches 26 years old next year. The second-round pick is a sweetener to make the deal more enticing.
The Lakers would be giving up some valuable assets, but the potential payoff is worth it. LaVine is a proven scorer who would fit well with James and Davis. He would give the Lakers another option on offense and take some of the pressure off of James and Davis, who have gone through their fair share of struggles with health. James appeared in 55 regular season games and Davis appeared in 56 games, so clearly, the Lakers need a player who can carry the offense and be a star of the show as needed.
The Lakers would have a more balanced attack and would be a more dangerous team as a result. It is not often a sharpshooter with a career average of 38.4% from three becomes available, let alone one who has averaged over 23 PPG for five straight seasons. LaVine will only get better with time and as he learns the ropes from LeBron James, he could be the long-term cornerstone of a Lakers team going forward.
