NBA Trades: The Miami Heat swap stars in 3-team deal with the Kings.
Despite reports that the Miami Heat won't make a big trade, i.e., trading star Jimmy Butler, they have been linked to Fox by NBA insider Marc Stein. Stein reports that they are one of at least three teams interested in Fox. While they don't have nearly as many assets as the Spurs or Rockets, they could cobble together an offer that might suit the Kings, depending on what they are looking for in a return value before the best player.
A blockbuster 3-team package involving the Kings, Heat, and Golden State Warriors could potentially help all three teams. The Heat would ship star Jimmy Butler to the Warriors, with them receiving Fox and Gary Payton II back from the Kings and Warriors. Meanwhile, the Kings would get Andrew Wiggins, Kevon Looney, Jonathan Kuminga, and two firsts—one from both the Heat and Warriors.
That would be as big of a blockbuster in-season as you can get with two all-stars moved in a three-team, six-player deal, but it actually might make sense for all teams involved. The Heat have been vocal about holding onto Butler, even though that doesn't make a lot of sense. After all, the Heat are currently sixth in the Eastern Conference but don't seem to be anywhere near the level of other teams at the top of the conference.
As is, they don't appear to be on the same level as the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks. That should encourage them to shake up their roster, and Fox would be a nice addition, giving them a much younger star to replace Butler.
Especially since they wouldn't likely get a star replacement in any other trade. For the Kings, they would get a young prospect in Kuminga, as well as Wiggins, whom they could flip for more assets, and Kevon Looney, who is on an expiring contract.
Add in two first-round picks, and it might actually result in them getting a good haul for Fox. Lastly, the Warriors would get Butler while only giving up one first-round pick. If a deal such as this one were to materialize, the Kings would be wise to consider it. After all, it would give them multiple rotation players, including a prospect in Kuminga who has played particularly well of late, in addition to two firsts.
It would at the very least give them some options that they don't have now. Possible deals with the Spurs or Rockets would likely mean a rebuild, while this deal could allow them to remain somewhat competitive while also being able to play the long game with Kuminga being a potential building block.
That would depend largely on how Sacramento views him and whether they would be willing to pay him with him set to enter restricted free agency after this season. Another team with cap space might try to steal him away, making him more expensive than he is currently worth, but he could also thrive playing a far bigger role. If the Kings like him, then getting him in a deal for Fox plus picks could get them to make the trade.