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NBA Rumors: Miami Heat seen as favorites to land star amid slow start – Hoops Habit
After getting off to a 1-4 start, the Miami Heat appear headed for another lackluster regular season. Last season, they won just 44 games but managed to eek into the playoffs via the play-in tournament. They then went on a terrific run, which got them all the way to the NBA Finals. However, after losing to the Denver Nuggets, the Heat attempted to try and trade for a star.
For most of the summer, it appeared as though they would eventually acquire former Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard. Unfortunately for the Heat, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks instead and that move inadvertently led to their fellow rivals, the Boston Celtics, adding yet another all-star.
As a result, Miami’s failure to add a star has come back to bite them in more ways than one, including their slow start to the season. Despite that, the Heat may still have a chance to add another star this season. In fact, they are seen as the favorites to land a two-time NBA all-star.
The Chicago Bulls have been rumored to be open to trading not one but two of their best players, with LaVine drawing the most interest. LaVine is 28 and one of the better offensive guards in the NBA and he could soon become available, depending on how the Bulls look in a few weeks.
The Miami Heat are the favorites to land Zach LaVine if Chicago deals him before the trade deadline, per @BovadaOfficial
Miami Heat +260
Brooklyn Nets +300
New York Knicks +400
Atlanta Hawks +500
Dallas Mavericks +700
(Via https://t.co/4cUAnVskab ) pic.twitter.com/IhJ6OagrCQ
Were that to happen, then the Heat could pounce, using some of the assets that they were initially planning to use in a Lillard swap in a deal for LaVine. The most obvious trade package the Heat could offer is Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson as well as a future first-round pick and a pick swap.
NBA free agency isn't what it used to be, with big free agent signings becoming rare but eight stars changing teams in the summer of 2024.
Whether the Bulls would accept that offer or another team can best that trade package is unclear, but, at the moment, Miami is seen as the frontrunner to acquire LaVine from Chicago.
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