The 2017-18 NBA season is just in its second week but there are already plenty of interesting topics chiming in. Eric Bledsoe’s odd situation in Phoenix has triggered a rippling effect across the NBA, leading many to speculate about the next set of players who will probably hit the trading block between now and February’s midseason trade deadline.

Notorious for floating hypothetical trades, Senior NBA writer Zach Lowe of ESPN once again came up with a trade idea that drew mixed reactions from hoops fans. Despite Whiteside’s development into one of the top centers in the NBA, Lowe is still not convinced that he will be the Heat’s centerpiece moving forward.

The Whiteside for Cousins deal

Lowe predicted Miami will pull the trigger on a Hassan Whiteside trade at some point this season, and that deal could be for New Orleans Pelicans big man DeMarcus Cousins. The NBA scribe pointed out that Cousins is a much better fit for Miami because of his ability to produce big numbers on a consistent basis.

Whiteside, on the other hand, has some consistency issue he needs to work on, but the big man could form a better twin-tower combination with All-Star power forward Anthony Davis because he provides better rim protection and doesn’t demand the ball that much.

“Here's what I really wanted to predict: The Pelicans trade Cousins and filler to the Heat for Hassan Whiteside.

That is my favorite fake trade in the league. Think about it: If the Pelicans combust, they should get something for Cousins instead of letting him walk and angering Anthony Davis. Davis doesn't want to play center; Whiteside does,!” Lowe stressed.

The Pelicans face a make-or-break situation with their All-Star tandem this season due to Cousins’ looming free agency.

Should the Pelicans continue to struggle in the West and feel Cousins is becoming a flight risk, the front office may have no choice but to shop their enigmatic big man for favorable compensation. The Heat would gladly take the opportunity to trade for superstar material like Cousins since they won’t have enough cap room to sign a max-level player in the next three years.

Insight on Olynyk signing

One rival Eastern Conference GM admitted that he wasn’t a fan of Miami’s move to sign big man Kelly Olynyk to a four-year, $46 million deal. The executive thought the Heat overpaid the Canadian and put themselves in a tough position financially by giving Olynyk that player’s option for the fourth year.

“Not a huge fan of Olynyk and think they overpaid by about 20 percent. I have no idea why he got a player option. But basketball wise he’s a good fit,” the GM told Barry Jackson of Miami Herald.

Olynyk, the 13th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, spent his first four NBA seasons with the Boston Celtics before finding a new home on South Beach. So far, the former Gonzaga standout is averaging 11.0 points and 8.0 rebounds in 25 minutes per game after three games.
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