NBA trade deadline day got off to an incredible start with Kevin Durant getting traded to the Phoenix Suns after the clock struck midnight.
The Durant trade came after other big trades had been made, including the Lakers trading Russell Westbrook away, the Raptors acquiring Jakob Poeltl, and the Knicks acquiring Josh Hart. With the NBA landscape already looking different, more trades are expected before the deadline expires.
The Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, and Chicago Bulls all need to make moves to adjust their rosters for the second half of the season. A 3-team trade between the teams could address each of their issues.
Chicago Bulls Receive: Norman Powell, John Wall, Terrance Mann, 2025 First-Round Pick (MIA)
Miami Heat Receive: DeMar DeRozan
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Kyle Lowry
This trade helps all 3 teams get to where they need to be for the rest of the season, especially with the recent moves that have transpired.
The Chicago Bulls Trade DeMar DeRozan For High Value
DeMar DeRozan has had an incredible 2 seasons with the Chicago Bulls, where he has proven he can score as one of the best mid-range players in the NBA. However, he will not be contending on the Bulls anytime soon, given the failings of the roster that they constructed with contention in mind. They’re barely holding onto a playoff spot, so trading DeRozan for more complementary wings with Zach LaVine‘s long-term contract would make sense.
Terrance Mann can continue his development as a young guard on the Bulls, and the Bulls could use a veteran like John Wall in the interim to maximize this season. Norman Powell’s contract is a hard pill to swallow, but the potential of Mann coming into the deal should soften that blow. Getting a first-round pick from Miami is also good business for them and sets them up to pivot their roster in the summer if they choose to do so.
The Miami Heat Find A Solution For Their Offensive Struggles
The Miami Heat just haven’t been a good team on offense this season, wholly reliant on Tyler Herro and Jimmy Butler to do everything for them to keep them competent. Kyle Lowry hasn’t been the fit they thought he’d be, even though his defense and playmaking ability has been valuable to the Heat. Butler often ends up taking the mantle of playmaker and ball-handler in playoff situations, so they need offensive players that can complement that.
DeRozan is averaging 25.9 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.8 rebounds this season. While he isn’t a 3-point sniper, he can create awkward spacing for the shooters in Miami to get more opportunities, as DeRozan can’t be left unmarked when he’s in the mid-range. Considering the team has been looked at as a possible Russell Westbrook destination, they could easily make this trade and add the guard play they lost by signing Russ. One pick is not a price that’ll make Pat Riley shy away, as he’s repeatedly demonstrated his belief in this roster as a possible contender.
The Clippers Finally Get Their Point Guard
The Los Angeles Clippers signed John Wall this summer to be the playmaker and primary ball-handler on the squad. Despite solid numbers, Wall just hasn’t provided what the Clippers need in the half-court. Wall’s primary success came by going downhill and finding open players to make shots. He no longer possesses the ability to make a defense collapse as he did prior to his injuries, which means the Clippers can’t really rely on him to excel in the half-court come playoff time.
The player they can most definitely rely on is Kyle Lowry, who’s already shown his playoff caliber alongside Kawhi Leonard before. Giving up Mann will sting, but it’ll be worth it to ensure they keep all their future draft capital. Norman Powell also being moved allows the Clippers to get off long-term money and re-tool later if they feel the need to. This may be a risk, but a team like the Clippers can’t afford to be passive anymore, with trades around the West making it look like teams are slowly passing them in the pecking order this season.
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