Grade the trade: Heat acquire DeRozan from Bulls and Kispert from Wizards in proposal

The 2023-24 NBA season is in full swing, with almost a quarter of the season behind us. This means that the trade deadline is fast approaching. Teams that have disappointed so far will likely change direction and trade away their valuable players, while playoff teams will likely reload ahead of the postseason. This opens up plenty of intriguing trade possibilities. One of the teams that is very likely to be busy at the deadline is the Chicago Bulls, with Zach Lavine, Alex Caruso, and Demar DeRozan being prime trade candidates.

The latest reporting by Sam Amick of The Athletic suggests that DeRozan is likely to be moved, with the Miami Heat and the New York Knicks being his preferred destinations. In any potential trade scenario, the Washington Wizards can get involved as a third-team to facilitate a deal and get future assets in return.

A potential three-team trade between the Miami Heat, the Chicago Bulls, and the Wizards could look like this:

Miami gets their guy and builds a fascinating Big Three with DeRozan, Jimmy Butler, and Bam Adebayo. In addition, they receive sharpshooter Corey Kispert from the Washington Wizards. He basically serves as a cheaper, younger replacement for Duncan Robinson, who they send to Washington as part of this deal. They part ways with Caleb Martin, Nikola Jovic, and two future first-round picks to get the deal done.

The Chicago Bulls get a solid return for DeRozan's expiring contract. Tyus Jones and Caleb Martin are good, established players who can be starters for the Bulls team. Jovic was a first-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and has upside as a two-way forward with good size and ball skills. The 2029 first-rounder from Miami could have some value depending on the protections attached.

The Washington Wizards give up Tyus Jones and Corey Kispert for Duncan Robinson and a Miami first-rounder. Robinson is 29 already and is slightly overpaid but he is a good basketball player with a valuable skill set of versatile shooting. Washington could use him as a floor-spacer to help the young players and flip him for future assets at a later date.

Despite being a rebuilding team, Washington doesn't have too many extra draft picks. Getting one from Miami would be important to stock the asset cabinet. The Wizards may be losing some talent in the present but they put themselves in a better position a few years down the line with this trade.

Final trade grade: A-