‘Perfect Fit’ Miami Heat Trade Proposal Receives $82 Million

 

 

If there is a reason that we’re seeing the level of Miami Heat trade rumors around DeMar DeRozan that we have seen in the NBA lately, it likely can be traced back to 2018. That, of course, is when DeRozan was the chief chip sent to San Antonio in the deal that brought Kawhi Leonard to Toronto. The Raptors went on to win a championship with Leonard, and DeRozan did not get the chance to play for a title.

In fact, DeRozan has not even gotten close. He played in one postseason series with the Spurs and another with the Bulls. But he has not advanced out of the first round since leaving the Raptors. And at age 34, he really wants to change that.

Erik Spoelstra could want nothing more than to make that happen. A Miami Heat trade for DeRozan would bring the coach the kind of versatile, high-scoring power forward he is lacking now. DeRozan is in the final year of a three-year, $82 million contract the signed in Chicago, making him a potentially perfect fit for the Heat, who are not seeking to add more money to their future ledger.

“Of all the player out there people are floating for the Heat, they’re not close to doing anything now, but DeMar DeRozan would be the one that has legs,” one Eastern Conference executive told Heavy Sports. “He is as close to what they’re looking for as they’re going to find. Perfect fit, really.”

And the Heat are also very close to what DeMar DeRozan is searching for. He desperately wants to win a title as a contributing player while he still has the chance. The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported over the weekend that DeRozan’s preferred trade destinations were the Heat and the Knicks. Both positions would place him with a contender and a team that may benefit from his abilities.

 

 

“I don’t think you can overestimate how much it hurt him to get traded away from a team (Toronto) that was right there for a competitive spot in the East, then you get dealt and you watch your replacement do the thing you could not do for that team. He had to watch Kawhi Leonard get them to the Finals and win it. Of course he wants his turn,” the executive said.

While he might be better off landing with, say, the Nuggets or Celtics, if he wants to win a ring, there really isn’t a deal to be made there, or a role for him. But there is in Miami. Thus, the Miami Heat trade chatter.

DeMar DeRozan is averaging 21.5 points and 4.9 assists for the Bulls this year.

As always with the Heat, they’re not very well built, roster-wise, for trades. They lack middling contracts that can serve as salary filler. They don’t want to move Tyler Herro because they like his talent, though they’re not crazy about the money on his contract, and they don’t want to move Kyle Lowry because they like the fact that his contract is up this season.

As an expiring deal, though, a Miami Heat trade for DeMar DeRozan in which Lowry is sent away makes a good deal of season. The Heat could bring DeRozan in, and perhaps re-sign him at a lower number next season.

“I don’t think they Bulls would do Tyler Herro’s contract for an expiring deal like DeRozan’s,” the executive said. “But if it is Lowry and a first-round pick or Lowry and Nikola Jovic, now you’re in the neighborhood where Chicago could do something, add a long-term piece.”

It is not a huge haul for DeRozan. But the Bulls, at 7-14, are not going to be in position to command a big haul for any of their trade pieces. They