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Heat reportedly not pursuing trade for Zach LaVine

Phoenix Suns v Chicago Bulls

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 08: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls reacts against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at the United Center on November 08, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

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Last time we checked in on a potential trade of the Bulls’ Zach Lavine the market was described as lukewarm by league sources speaking to NBC Sports.

One team mentioned in trade rumors — almost out of reflex — is the Miami Heat, but they are not pursuing a trade for LaVine right now reports Barry Jackson at the Miami Herald.

There’s a logical reason for that — the Heat already have Tyler Herro in the off-guard scoring role and would have to trade him to land LaVine. While LaVine is a better player in that role than Herro, the Bulls’ star is also five years older and making $13 million more per season (and both are on the books for multiple years in the future). Is LaVine $13 million a season better than Herro? Not in the eyes of most observers.

LaVine is a bucket. He’s a two-time All-Star and Olympic gold medalist (Tokyo) averaging 21.3 points per game this season and is a career 38.2% shooter from 3. What scares teams off is LaVine’s contract: they would be on the hook for the remainder of the $40 million he makes this season plus $138 million guaranteed over the next three years. That’s more than teams are eager to shell out for a player not associated with winning at the NBA level and who doesn’t bring defense or much else to the table outside scoring.

That said, a lot of teams could use LaVine and the vibe around the league is he will get traded before the deadline. However, teams mentioned as interested now — Lakers, 76ers — also want to ask the Bulls about other players who might become available such as Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan. They want to know if the Bulls are doing a complete teardown. The reports out of Chicago to this point say no, this is a LaVine-only thing, but teams keep asking.

A LaVine trade probably happens before the trade deadline (and likely much closer to it), but not to Miami.