Miami Heat fake trade: A proposition to the Chicago Bulls

Here at All U Can Heat, we’ll be running a series in which we build and contemplate (fake) trades between the Miami Heat and all 29 other NBA teams. In part one, a trade with the Chicago Bulls.

While the Miami Heat consolidated on their roster construction this offseason, the Chicago Bulls went in the other direction.

While the Heat re-signed their own key free agents in Dion Waiters and James Johnson, while also bringing in Kelly Olynyk, the Bulls instead went in another direction. In trading All-Star Jimmy Butler, the Bulls have clearly signalled their intentions moving forward. They are now distinctly all-in on rebuilding their roster, and hence will be on the lookout for future moves to improve.

In the process of dealing away Butler, one of the pieces that came their way was second year point guard Kris Dunn. The addition of Dunn adds to the Bulls’ exciting point guard depth already consisting of Cameron Payne and Jerian Grant. And considering each member of this trio is just 24 years of age or younger, it seems superfluous to have three similar players at the one spot competing for minutes.

Enter the Heat, who as currently constituted have a glut of wings on their roster come opening night. One promising young wing the Heat could look to move is Okaro White, who made strides after landing a spot on the roster via the Heat’s G-League affiliate the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Standing 6-foot-8 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, White demonstrated great proficiency on the perimeter as a defender and spot up three-point shooter.

And with the Heat not featuring a certified backup at the point, a move between the two teams seems a logical step. Of the trio, Payne would be a worthwhile gamble for the Heat. After spending a season and a half backing up Russell Westbrook for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Payne arrived midway through last season in Chicago amid a glut at the point guard spot that included the now departed Rajon Rondo and Michael Carter-Williams.

The No. 14 overall pick in 2015, Payne would learn greatly from fellow left-hander, starting point guard Goran Dragic. Furthermore, Payne has demonstrated, albeit in small samples, that he’s capable of producing. As a rookie, Payne had 10 games of posting 10 or more points, averaging 12.2 points and 3.2 assists per game while shooting at a 50.5 percent clip during these games.

Next: Do the Heat need a backup point guard?

Meanwhile White, who will be 25 come opening night, would be a welcome addition on the wings for the now very-young Bulls’ roster (assuming Dwyane Wade is bought out of his current contract).

And while the Heat have stated they are not actively searching a backup point guard, this notwithstanding is a deal that makes sense and should certainly be considered.