3 blockbuster trades that send Zach LaVine to the Miami Heat

The Chicago Bulls may be open to moving guard Zach LaVine and several NBA teams have explored the possibility of trading for the All-Star scorer, according to The Athletic. For many reasons, it makes sense if the Miami Heat ar one of those teams.

"NBA teams are probing the availability of two-time All-Star guard Zach LaVine and there’s been increased openness from the organization and player about exploring a trade, league sources said. "

- Shams Charania, The Athletic

LaVine, 28, is averaging 21.9 points, 3.0 assists and 4.8 rebounds in his seventh season in Chicago, but the Bulls over the weekend dropped to 4-7 and have already held a players-only meeting after a disappointing loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder to open the season.

Here are some fake trade ideas that would send Zach LaVine to the Miami Heat.

One of the league's top isolation scorers and 3-point shooters, LaVine is in the second year of a five-year, $215-million maximum contract extension he signed prior to the 2022-23 season. His salary is worth $40 million this season and he has three years and $138 million remaining on his contract following this season (with a player option for 2026-27).

Should the Heat trade for the score-first guard? Here are three deals that could send LaVine to Miami.

The Heat are offering the Bulls payroll savings and good, young players in exchange for LaVine. Kyle Lowry's expiring $29.6 million deal is the main salary balast needed to bring back LaVine's $40 million contract, but it also reunites Lowry with long-time Toronto Raptors teammate DeMar DeRozan. They haven't played with each other since the 2017-18 season and have a chance to enter free agency together next summer.

According to The Athletic, the Bulls are interested in bringing back DeRozan. Keeping his friend Lowry around on a more manageable contract could improve their chances.

In addition to Lowry, the Bulls will also get Caleb Martin and Nikola Jovic. Adding Martin gives Bulls coach Billy Donovan a wing capable of guarding the East's top wings like Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler and Mikal Bridges. Pairing Martin with guard Alex Caruso gives the Bulls one of the top perimeter defensive duos in the league and instantly shifts Chicago's strength from offense to defense.

Jovic is a young forward with tantalizing talent who could get more playing time in Chicago. His skillet, at least theoretically, meshes well with Chicago's young perimeter players, Coby White and Dalen Terry.