3 Big-name players the Heat should NOT trade for
Zach LaVine's name has been mentioned as a potential target for the Miami Heat, but the organization shouldn't trade for him, or these other big names that could be on the move.
By Will Salinas
In the NBA, trade discussions are a constant narrative that persists even beyond the actual trade deadline. Speculation about the next major player to be moved is inevitable.
Miami Heat fans can relate to this the most, as every off-season there's a plan on how to acquire the next big star to pair next to Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. But the Heat are out to a hot start and sit near the top of the East standings, even without the scorching Tyler Herro.
Making small tweaks to improve the team could be a good move but, at this point in the season, going after flashy names might not be the best call. Still, the Heat have been linked to a bunch of big-name players, one a realistic move, one completely unrealistic, and a wildcard player. Here's why it might be wise for them to steer clear of chasing these names.
Despite Zach LaVine being a big name, the Chicago Bulls star is not the answer for the Miami Heat as they hope to make another run at an NBA title.
The biggest name the Heat have been linked to so far is Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine. LaVine is a talented player, but so far into his 10th season, he has shown some offensive regression. An argument could be made that a change of scenery could turn things around, but it isn't worth the risk for the Heat.
LaVine has always been a score-first player, but the scoring has taken a bit of a dive. His average points per game has decreased from 24.8 to 21.3 with the efficiency dropping as well. LaVine's three-point percentage has dropped from 37 percent to 33, his overall field goal percentage has dropped from 48 to 43 percent and the defense has been nearly nonexistent.
One big question the Heat should ask themselves is if they benefit from snagging LaVine. Tyler Herro is having a better start to the season, pre-injury, averaging 25.2 points per game, shooting 44 percent from the field, and 41 percent from three on seven attempts per game. He's also been a better playmaker and defender. So, a Lavine-Herro swap doesn't even make sense statistically.
Should the Heat acquire LaVine without letting Herro go, how much better does that actually make them? There is such a thing as too many cooks in the kitchen and with LaVine and Butler being ball-dominant players, touches would have to be shared between the two, not to mention Bam Adebayo and Herro, who are having their best seasons to date. If LaVine was a better defensive player, an argument for the fit could be made, but that isn't the case.
It's understandable to chase after an offensive-oriented player such as Damian Lillard, but you know what you're getting from Dame. Despite Lavine's 51-point performance in the second game of the Bull's season against the Detroit Pistons (in a loss), he has been quite unimpressive on both ends, which is why both the Bulls and LaVine have had discussions about moving on from each other.
In Miami, the Heat organization thrives on a culture of unity and commitment. The coaching staff and players are not just individual contributors; they're integral parts of a well-oiled machine, each playing their role with passion and dedication. Zach LaVine's body language, as observed, may not align with the Heat's ethos.