5-Team Blockbuster Trade Idea Sends DeMar DeRozan To The Lakers, James Harden To The Heat

• DeMar DeRozan would give the Los Angeles Lakers another star

• James Harden could be a difference-maker for the Miami Heat

• The Philadelphia 76ers would get a solid trade package for James Harden

This summer has definitely been an offseason with a lot of speculation about potential trades. James Harden wants out from the Philadelphia 76ers, and he is likely to be moved prior to the start of the season. There are also a number of other potential players that could be moved as well due to their contract situations: DeMar DeRozan could be one of them as he is in the last year of his deal with the Chicago Bulls.

Perhaps a multi-team trade can land James Harden and DeMar DeRozan in new destinations that would also give them a chance to compete at a high level. This proposed trade sends DeRozan to the Los Angeles Lakers and Harden to the Miami Heat.

Los Angeles Lakers Receive: DeMar DeRozan

Miami Heat Receive: James Harden

Philadelphia 76ers Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Duncan Robinson, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Grayson Allen

Chicago Bulls Receive: Kyle Lowry, Jalen Hood-Schifino, MarJon Beauchamp, Max Christie

Milwaukee Bucks Receive: PJ Tucker, 2028 Second-Round Pick (CHI)

This would definitely be a wild trade to see, simply because there would be five teams involved and multiple stars on the move. Though multi-team trades are notoriously hard to execute, this seems like a deal that makes sense for all parties, and here is why all five teams should consider making this deal.

Los Angeles Lakers Land A Third Star Who Fits Their Need

The Los Angeles Lakers are a good team right now, and there is no doubt that they should be a contender during the 2023-24 season. Still, it seems as though the team is missing an x-factor that it needs to get past elite Western Conference squads such as the Denver Nuggets and the Phoenix Suns. Perhaps adding another star is the answer, and DeMar DeRozan should be relatively easy to get given the fact that he is on an expiring contract right now.

DeMar DeRozan averaged 24.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game with the Chicago Bulls last season while shooting 50.4% from the field. DeRozan brings a necessary skill set to the team’s roster, as he is elite from the midrange area, and can create his own shot effectively in isolation situations. Though it is fair to say that DeRozan has limitations as a No. 1 option, he could potentially thrive as a No. 3 option behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Though D’Angelo Russell is a solid player, DeMar DeRozan is definitely an upgrade, and the team doesn’t necessarily need a point guard given that Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, and LeBron James can all play at that position if necessary. Adding another top-tier scorer like DeRozan is far more likely to help the team win a championship. The team would also have to give up some young prospects in this deal, which is also unlikely to matter given that they were unlikely to contribute during the season.

The main cause of concern, of course, is DeMar DeRozan hitting free agency in 2024. However, DeRozan is from Los Angeles and would have no reason to leave if the Lakers are a contender. This makes getting the star a no-brainer deal for the franchise, and it is clear that DeMar DeRozan could help push them over the top.

Miami Heat Acquire Another Elite Offensive Player

One of the biggest issues for the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals was their relative lack of offensive production from the players surrounding superstar Jimmy Butler. Thus, it makes sense for the team to acquire a star that can help in that department. James Harden could definitely be a good option, especially since the team would not have to give up Tyler Herro in this deal. The Miami Heat also lost Gabe Vincent and Max Strus in free agency, so adding a point guard makes a lot of sense.

During the 2022-23 season, James Harden averaged 21.0 points,6.1 rebounds, and 10.7 assists per game, while shooting 38.5% from 3PT range. Though he isn’t the scorer that he once was, Harden would face less pressure to score on the Miami Heat given that Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro are on the roster. The star could focus on being a floor general and spacing the floor, which is clearly where his current strengths are.

The Miami Heat would only have to give up Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. in this deal, which is an absolute steal of a price to get James Harden for. Of course, Harden is on an expiring contract and is unhappy with the Philadelphia 76ers, which is why they would be able to get him at a lower value. The main hurdle is getting him to stay, but it is hard to envision Harden leaving a winning franchise in a big market.

Philadelphia 76ers Get A Decent Return For James Harden

For the Philadelphia 76ers, the priority should be to try and get an offer for James Harden that allows them to compete while Joel Embiid is still playing at an MVP level. This offer gets them a few solid veterans who can contribute immediately to a playoff team.

D’Angelo Russell is the player that is the centerpiece of this deal, and he is a quality offensive player that can play either guard position. Last season with the Los Angeles Lakers, Russell averaged 17.8 points. 3.0 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game. Though he is no longer the All-Star player he once was with the Brooklyn Nets, he can still contribute to a winning team as a playmaker and 3PT shooter.

Duncan Robinson and Grayson Allen are both quality 3PT shooters, who should create more spacing for Joel Embiid in the interior. They both know how to play in smaller roles around a superstar and could fill rotational roles for the team. Jaime Jaquez Jr. is a rookie, but in theory, he should be a win-now player and can give solid minutes as a wing defender.

Overall, this is a solid value deal for the Philadelphia 76ers, which gets them some players who can contribute immediately and provide shooting. That is a decent return given the current situation with James Harden, and the team should absolutely take it if this trade is on the table.

Chicago Bulls Get Good Value For An Expiring Contract

The Chicago Bulls should absolutely rebuild at this point. Even though their team has good players, it is highly unlikely that they will win a championship with their current core. The first objective in a rebuild should be trying to get something of value for DeMar DeRozan, as he is a threat to leave for nothing in 2024 free agency. This deal gets them a number of young players still on their rookie contracts, attached to Kyle Lowry’s expiring contract.

The key prospects the Chicago Bulls would get in this scenario are MarJon Beauchamp and Jalen Hood-Schifino. Beauchamp has already shown that he can play solid defense, though it is fair to say that his overall offensive game needs some work. Jalen Hood-Schifino will be heading into.his rookie this season, and his strengths in college were his perimeter defense and feel for the game. On the Chicago Bulls, both players would get ample minutes to develop their games.

Adding Kyle Lowry on an expiring contract could be solid for the team if he is willing to buy into a leadership role and mentor the young players who are currently on the roster. If he isn’t willing

Overall, the Chicago Bulls get a solid package for DeMar DeRozan in this trade deal. It is a satisfying return for an older star, and if they trade the other veterans on their roster they could amass even more assets.

Milwaukee Bucks Get A Key Veteran For Another Championship Push

The Milwaukee Bucks need to do whatever it takes to convince Giannis Antetokounmpo to sign a new extension with the franchise. That obviously means making win-now moves to try and win immediately. Adding PJ Tucker is a small move that could go a really long way, with the veteran notably being a huge part of the team’s championship success in 2021.

PJ Tucker isn’t the best offensive player, but he can punish teams when left open in the corner, with the forward averaging 40.4% from the 3PT range on corner shots. His main value is clearly on the defensive end. He is one of the few players in the league who can truly guard five positions, and bringing him back should help improve the Milwaukee Bucks’ defense.

Giving up Grayson Allen and MarJon Beauchamp to get a quality veteran like PJ Tucker is a solid proposition for the Milwaukee Bucks. MarJon Beauchamp is unlikely to contribute immediately to a championship, and Grayson Allen is on an expiring contract. Overall, just a decent minor deal.

This Trade Would Help Each Team Fulfill Their Goals

There is no doubt that each team would get what they want in this trade. The Chicago Bulls would get a decent package to start their rebuild, while the other teams would either get better or remain competitive after trading a star-level player.

It remains to be seen if a deal like this will ever get done with five teams in the future. Though it is definitely unlikely to see something like this get done, we have seen many stranger moves happen in the league.

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