- Miami would get an All-Star caliber player to pair up with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo
- Philadelphia would separate from James Harden and bring more offensive firepower to the mix
- Without playoff success, the Cavs and Bulls could start a retooling process again
Damian Lillard has been finally traded from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Milwaukee Bucks, where he will form a dynamic duo with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Lillard spent his 11 seasons since entering the league as the sixth overall pick in the 2012 draft with the Blazers. After a career of loyalty to the Blazers’ fanbase, he requested a trade last July.
While the Miami Heat were initially expected to acquire the All-NBA guard from Portland, it was the Milwaukee Bucks who ultimately pulled the trigger on a deal to add another superstar-caliber player alongside Giannis, their franchise player, and two-time NBA MVP. This move could set the NBA in motion for another blockbuster trade that would cause a seismic shift in the league landscape.
Miami Heat receive: Donovan Mitchell, PJ Tucker, 2024 first-round pick via 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers receive: Zach LaVine, Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Isaac Okoro, Dalen Terry
Chicago Bulls receive: Tobias Harris, Jaden Springer, Sam Merrill, Filip Petrusev, 2028 first-round pick via 76ers, 2030 first-round pick via 76ers
Cleveland Cavaliers receive: James Harden, Furkan Korkmaz, Danuel House Jr., 2024 first-round pick via Heat, 2026 first-round pick via 76ers, 2030 first-round pick via Heat
This trade would mark the end of the James Harden era for the 76ers, as he’s in the final year of his contract and eager to move on. It would also allow them to shed Tobias Harris’ contract in exchange for four future first-round draft picks. On the other hand, the Cavaliers would gain a new All-Star shooting guard along with future draft picks, the Bulls could kickstart their rebuilding process, and the Heat would finally secure their long-sought-after All-Star.
Heat Find Their All-Star After Many Failed Attempts
It’s no secret that Miami has been trying to acquire that star player to elevate the team and assist Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo in their quest for the elusive championship that slipped away in 2020 and again in 2023. Donovan Mitchell was one of their targets before he landed in Cleveland, but they couldn’t secure his arrival in South Beach.
Donovan Mitchell ended the 2022-23 season with averages of 28.3 points, 4.4 assists, and 4.3 rebounds in 68 games, earning his fourth career All-Star Game selection. Tyler Herro, on the other hand, posted numbers of 20.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 67 games.
With Mitchell in limbo in Cleveland as the franchise explores trade options, the Heat would have another chance to acquire him. They failed to retain James Harden before his move to Brooklyn, mainly because they were unwilling to part with Tyler Herro, who hasn’t quite lived up to the early hype but remains a valuable asset. Mitchell’s contract isn’t ideal, but they would also be shedding Duncan Robinson’s $18 million per season.
Additionally, they would regain PJ Tucker, who had a successful stint with the Heat as a versatile defender, along with a first-round pick from Philadelphia to sweeten the deal, given Tucker’s relatively high contract for his production and age at this point.
76ers Surrounds Joel Embiid with Plenty of Talent
Philadelphia failed to achieve the postseason success expected when they acquired Harden in exchange for Ben Simmons. The pairing was supposed to propel the Sixers deep into the playoffs, but they have yet to reach the Eastern Conference Finals with this duo. Parting with Harden and his sizable contract, along with Tobias Harris, could benefit them in exchange for giving up their first-round picks for seven years.
Harden averaged 21.0 points, 10.7 assists, and 6.1 rebounds in 58 games in the 2022-23 season. Tobias Harris posted numbers of 14.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists this past season. In contrast, the Sixers would acquire Zach LaVine, who averaged 24.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 77 games in the 2022-23 season.
They would also have Tyler Herro as a scoring option off the bench, with Tyrese Maxey as the undisputed starter. Adding Zach LaVine, this trio would complement Joel Embiid, creating a dynamic team with a bright future, given that the Sixers wouldn’t have high first-round picks until 2030. Duncan Robinson would be an ideal addition to provide lethal three-point shooting, potentially alongside a promising interior player like Paul Reed in the starting lineup.
Bulls Embarks On Another Rebuilding Phase
The Bulls‘ era with DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, Nikola Vucevic, and Zach LaVine did not yield the desired results. Between injuries, the inability to defeat the top teams in the Eastern Conference, and an early exit from the postseason, Chicago should seriously consider a rebuild.
They could potentially trade Tobias Harris to another team when he’s in the final year of his contract, perhaps in exchange for future draft capital. Additionally, they would acquire young players like Jaden Springer and Filip Petrusev, who could fill the point guard and center positions if they decide to trade Lonzo Ball and Nikola Vucevic for more draft assets.
With all of this in mind, Chicago would still retain DeMar DeRozan, who would likely be in high demand on the trade market, and bring in two future first-round picks in exchange for Zach LaVine. This move would pave the way for Ayo Dosunmu or Coby White to have a more prominent role in the future.
Cavaliers Face A Dilemma For The Future
The Cavaliers would be parting with Donovan Mitchell, for whom they acquired valuable assets. However, with James Harden in the final year of his contract, they could remain competitive. Additionally, they would receive two perimeter players who would enter the team’s rotation.
Harden didn’t have his best year, but he still averaged 21.0 points, 10.7 assists, and 6.1 rebounds in 58 games in the 2022-23 season. While playoff success has eluded him, The Beard remains a player of high caliber who demands consideration from opposing teams, as he is still capable of putting up big numbers individually.
Furthermore, the Cavaliers could initiate their rebuilding process by immediately moving Harden and acquiring future draft assets, as they would have three first-round picks in exchange for sending Donovan Mitchell to Miami. With this in mind, although Utah owns some of the Cavs’ picks, they only conveyed unprotected selections after 2028, by which time they should be back on the path to the playoffs.
