There are multiple teams in the league that are trying to improve ahead of this year's trade deadline. The New York Knicks and the Miami Heat are likely among their number, as the two teams are trying to get to the playoffs and make a deep run in the Eastern Conference. Both teams need more star power on their roster to compete with the other heavyweights in the East such as the Milwaukee Bucks and the Brooklyn Nets.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls are a team that could potentially blow it up. They are the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference and have been inconsistent all season. They have some pieces that would be valuable to teams that are trying to win immediately, and perhaps they could move them to get draft picks and young prospects in return.

Here is a potential 3-team trade that involves the Knicks, the Heat, and the Bulls. The Knicks and the Heat would be getting win-now players, while the Bulls would be getting a huge package for their rebuild.

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  • New York Knicks Receive: Zach LaVine, Alex Caruso
  • Miami Heat Receive: DeMar DeRozan, Derrick Rose
  • Chicago Bulls Receive: Immanuel Quickley, Cam Reddish, Caleb Martin, Evan Fournier, Kyle Lowry, 2025 First-Round Pick (MIL via NYK), 2029 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2027 First-Round Pick (MIA)

There is no doubt that this is a trade that could potentially work out for all three teams involved, with good reasons for each team to make this trade. Here is why the three franchises involved should consider making this trade.

 

The New York Knicks Trade For A Star-Level Shooting Guard

The New York Knicks already have two All-Star level players on the roster, Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. Brunson has shown that he is an elite floor general that is also capable of scoring the basketball well, while Randle plays a bully-ball style and is a solid playmaker at the PF position. If they add a three-level scorer like Zach LaVine to the mix, they could be an extremely dangerous team that will be a tough matchup for any contender in the East.

As of right now, Zach LaVine is averaging 24.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 4.3 APG for the Chicago Bulls, while shooting 38.4% from beyond the arc. He has shown the ability to be a high-volume shooter from the 3PT range, and LaVine is also an excellent slasher when going to the basket. LaVine has the skill set to be a consistent No. 1 option for the New York Knicks, and they are already keeping tabs on his situation with the Chicago Bulls. In theory, Zach LaVine would be a good fit with two ball-dominant players like Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle due to his elite off-ball game. He could toggle between being on and off the ball, and take over when necessary.

This deal also lands the New York Knicks one of the league's best defensive guards, Alex Caruso. He would likely be the backup guard for the team, but would still get plenty of playing time. Alex Caruso has been a defensive lynchpin for the Chicago Bulls during his time there, and it is quite possible that he would end up closing at times for the Knicks due to his prowess on that end of the floor. Caruso has notably become a solid 3PT shooter as well and is currently converting 3PT shots at a rate of 39.1%. The Knicks have recently been touted as a candidate to land Alex Caruso.