Knicks, Heat ‘preferable’ trade spots for Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan



Broadway or South Beach.

As the Bulls continue to crater, rumors persist that the former model franchise turned cellar-dwellers might start selling its top players and embrace a rebuild.

DeMar DeRozan, along with Zach LaVine, is one of the players Chicago could look to move and the veteran reportedly has two preferred teams: the Knicks and Heat.

“When it comes to possible destinations, the Heat and Knicks are known to be preferable to DeRozan if he winds up getting moved,” according to the Athletic’s Sam Amick.

Amick says DeRozan is “considered very likely” to be dealt with the Bulls sitting at 6-14.

DeRozan, 34, is averaging a team-best 21.3 points, 4.6 assists and shooting 45 percent this season, and the small forward could help contending teams.

Making him all the more attractive is his expiring contract, worth $28.6 million.

Teams can acquire him for a playoff run, see if he hits and perhaps have a leg up on re-signing him if the partnership worked.

Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

The Knicks and Heat both make sense as Eastern Conference playoff hopefuls who could use another piece or two.

The Knicks have plenty of draft picks at their disposal, and could use Evan Fournier’s contract to help make the money work.

The Knicks are fifth in the Eastern Conference with their 11-7 record, and most projections have them outside the top three teams in the conference.

Josh Hart (l) and Jalen Brunson (r) of the Knicks. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

The Heat, who eliminated the Knicks in the playoffs, are seemingly always on players’ potential trade lists.

Miami just missed out on Damian Lillard this offseason, with the Blazers ultimately dealing the star guard to the Bucks.

A winning culture, great weather and no taxes make for an attractive destination.

Jimmy Butler of the Heat. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Miami enters Friday in the sixth spot in the East with its 11-8 mark.

The Heat do not have the trade assets the Knicks do, but the Knicks may prefer to hold off on using them until a bigger star becomes available.



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