Alright, folks, I've got a juicy trade scenario for you that's gonna shake things up big time. We're talking about a four-team blockbuster involving the Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors. Buckle up, 'cause this one's a doozy.
Here's the breakdown:
• Heat get: Bruce Brown, Chris Boucher, Kelly Olynyk, 2027 first-round pick (least favorable from Utah, Cleveland or Minnesota) and 2029 first-round pick (least favorable from Utah, Cleveland or Minnesota).
• Raptors get: Zach LaVine
• Suns get: Jimmy Butler and Patrick Williams
• Bulls get: Bradley Beal, Jusuf Nurkić, 2025 second-round pick (from Portland, via Toronto), 2026 first-round pick (top-four protected from Indiana, via Toronto) and a 2025 first-round pick (least favorable from Utah, Cleveland or Minnesota).
Now, let's break this down team by team:
Phoenix Suns:
They're going all-in. The Suns get their guy in Jimmy Butler, plus they're taking a flyer on Patrick Williams, who would give them a needed body in the frontcourt rotation. I can already hear Suns fans talking themselves into the 2020 draft’s fourth overall pick.
Chicago Bulls:
The Bulls are taking a calculated step back. They're dumping Patrick Williams's contract and shedding more than $50 million in future salary by taking on Nurkić's shorter deal. Plus, they're getting three quality picks for swapping LaVine for Beal. Not too shabby for kickstarting a rebuild.
Toronto Raptors:
The Raptors snag Zach LaVine, whose shooting and playmaking would be a great fit next to Scottie Barnes. This move doesn't take them off the tanking path right now, but it could help them make a Pistons-style leap into the play-in mix next season. LaVine's under contract, so they've got some stability there.
Miami Heat:
Miami's getting two expiring contracts, reuniting with Kelly Olynyk, and snagging two picks to help jumpstart their next chapter. It's not a bad haul for moving on from Butler.
This move would save the Heat $40 million this summer when Brown and Boucher come off the books, get them under the luxury tax and unlock the valuable non-taxpayer mid-level exception that can be used to add another quality rotation piece. (The Heat could also opt to resign Boucher using Bird rights if they want.)
It’s worth noting that this would have to be done as two separate trades to make it work under league rules (Nurkic for Williams would be one trade). But those are the moving parts.