The Knicks are closely monitoring Bulls guard Zach LaVine and the possibility of acquiring him via trade before the March 25 deadline, Ian Begley of SNY reports.
It’s uncertain whether Chicago is listening to offers on LaVine but the Knicks have some draft capital that may intrigue the Bulls, Begley notes. New York owns its future first-rounders and has 2021 and 2023 first-rounders coming from the Mavericks from the Kristaps Porzingis deal, though the latter of those picks has protections.
The Bulls would likely ask for another young star in any deal involving LaVine, Begley presumes.
An Immanuel Quickley-LaVine pairing could be the Knicks’ long-term solution in the backcourt, provided they re-signed him.
LaVine, 25, becomes an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2022. He’s making $19.5MM this season and the same next season. He might seek max money, or close to it, in his next contract.
Prior to the season, the Bulls rebuffed overtures for LaVine. He’s once again posting big stats — 27.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 5.3 APG, 39.7% from 3 — but he’s also committing 4.3 turnovers a game. Moreover, LaVine’s efforts have not translated to wins. Chicago heads into the weekend with a 7-10 record.
The Nets also had interest in LaVine prior to acquiring James Harden, Begley adds.
No. Nobody from a team that is consistently picking ahead of the Knicks.
LaVine is a tough one in terms of what his value is
Guy is putting up 27 on 50/40/90 yet it seems a lot of people few him as very far from a star, almost like a juiced up Hardaway Jr
So I’m interested for NYK if the asking price is low enough. Esp if u believe Randle’s leap is legit.
They need a point guard.
Pelicans should closely monitor LaVine. He would be a great fit with Zion, not only cause his scoring but his athleticism too.
Another team that should be keen is Memphis. He would be a huge upgrade at SG, would be the teams first scoring option and could serve as another ball handler outside of Ja. Not to mention both Ja and Zach are very athletic and would be very exciting and the lack of defence would be made up for in the form of Justice Winslow, Jaren Jackson Jr and so on
You do realize that at least one of that trio would probably be in exchange for LaVine. That’s what some people around here forget. You can’t just look at how player A fits with team B without factoring in what team B has to give up to get player A. LaVine is not a superstar, but he is highly talented and PROVEN player. It won’t take a Bradley Beal type package to get him, but it’ll still take quite a bit.
I’m guessing your talking about Memphis, I would give up Dillon Brooks, Brandon Clarke and a protected first for LaVine and build around Ja LaVine Winslow and JJJ
Not to mention you have Deings big expiring deal, you could trade for another couple expiring deals in order to have some money to spend in FA.
1. Ja. Jones
2. LaVine. Allen
3. Winslow. Anderson
4. JJJ. Tillman
5. Valacuinas. Deing
That’s before FA that’s a solid core of a young playoff team
hiflew is right you need to give as good as you get in a trade… can’t get a star for a couple of rotation guys & a protected 1st, you gotta up the game.
The point is not about winning trades, the only good trade is the one were both teams win from it, if only one team does it is by definition a very bad trade.
You mustn’t have been watching much Memphis games if you see them as just a couple rotation guys. Dillon Brooks is averaging 15-4-3 which is pretty nice in under 30 minutes, he’s a solid young player. Brandon Clarke in his second year is averaging 13-6-2 and last year made the all rookie first team and you get a first. LaVine is playing really well but he also has some draw backs. No defence at all, only 1 year left on his deal after this season and a career high 4 turnovers a game has him giving the ball over the second most in the league.
So Lavine goes from one train wreck to another?
I know you always want to improve but for what they would have to give up it certainly doesn’t match up with their time arc/window
Just pursue him before 23 when he’s a FREE agent !
Feels like a plant, which ultimately could mean LaVine Is going somewhere just not Yonkers in the next 55 days
Knicks need to continue drafting. Barrett, Toppin, Robinson, Quicky…keep adding. Draft picks are there as well.
At least the Knicks are eyeing a star they might actually have a chance to acquire, but they should be focusing on the draft still.
For what Lavine is worth, and what it would cost to acquire him, I don’t see a team pulling that trigger in-season.
Maybe out of season involving the draft, but Chicago has showed some life this season, and Lavine is a major part of that. Seems like you’d have to consider dealing Carter & Markannen too, if that is the course taken.
As a Bulls fan since 1989, WCJ ranks up there with Marcus Fizer and Tyrus Thomas for high draft busts post 1998. I know a few ppl disagree with me, but if he isn’t injured, he hasn’t gotten better. Defensive awareness and Iq really are his problem, which is surprising because you expect a Duke player in this generation to have a great feel for the game at a young age (see Tatum and Zion). Markkanen is a black hole on offense and doesn’t make anyone around him better. They need to trade both of them for anything they can get. Neither can average 10 boards per game, but one guy is 7’0 and the other is 6’9-6-10????
If Chicago FO has anything close to the same things to say & opinions about Carter & Mark, then they should definitely be considering trading Lavine, and building a team for their new coach. Donovan has definitely shown he is the first competent coach they have had in 5 years atleast. White is good, Williams has been alright so far. Its not a total rebuild, and Lavine would return a good haul for the coming reset. It is the off-kilter Corona season, maybe the trade deadline is going be exciting this year!
Yeah white is not good, Wendell carter is worse and the bulls had zero expectations coming into this season and wouldn’t trade lavine, you guys are all talking about a pipe dream that this front office trades it’s by far best player in his career best season at age 24
Yeah, well in my previous post I said I wouldn’t deal Lavine. I think White is good. We disagree there. If “you guys” was aimed at me, then read the post above the one about White you disagree with me on. I was reolying to someone else. Thanks for including me though. Fun!
White is a good off the ball guard (see Ben Gordon). He can create his own shot, problem is they’re trying to make him a PG based off the fact there is no legitimate True PG on this roster. I personally think Lavine won’t be dealt til the offseason. He can get buckets but he doesn’t play capable defense and also has questionable basketball IQ when he’s double or triple teamed. If he’s getting dealt he’s worth atleast 2 unprotected first round picks, and then an expiring contract. He’s the best 2 guard on the block after Beal. A team like NOLA or Memphis like people have suggested should be in the running. I would trade him to Denver for Gary Harris/MPJ and 2 unprotected first round picks. We need more athleticism at the wings. I’d ask for Bol Bol as well, but this isn’t 2K and I’m a realistic Bulls fan.
Sorry to point it out to you, but… you ain’t realistic there, Harris & 2 unprotected first & add a small salary filler & that is ok, but… MPJ ain’t going nowhere, no time soon, dude! Unless is for a legit superstar!
Having said that, I don’t think DEN needs him or Beal, they already have 3 unbelievable scorers, what they need is a D specialist to come in, which neither ZLV or Beal are.
Harris and 2 unprotected picks doesn’t mean anything when you’re giving up a 25 PPG scorer and you know those Denver picks will likely be 20-30 range because of how well they are as a team. MPJ needs to be included or Bol Bol. MPJ is more dynamic than Bol Bol. This isn’t a salary cap dump, Bulls need talent across the roster and Trading Lavine gives them the best chance to do that.
MPJ ceiling is at least as high as LaVine’s (and probably higher). I don’t think there’s any chance Denver makes that trade.
He does seem like a hard guy to gauge to a team – Plenty of suitors but who has enough to give and still compete-
Luckily draft picks can settle any score and they can get a combo of picks+young talent but he does seem like they type of player management is willing to trade but the offers just are not good enough in the end so he stays
We don’t need LaVine. He’s a SG who is till finding his way defensively. RJ is the SG and plays D. Knicks make a trade for a young star. It has to be a SF or a PG. This draft is loaded with wings. So why give up assets when we have 2 chances in 1st rd to get a player. Or just sign one in FA. I like LeVine but Bulls should not let him go. They blew it by not taking Halliburton. He would of had them in playoffs this yr. A traditional PG is Knicks and Bulls biggest need. Especially when you are building thru draft and youth. A traditional PG makes the offense run makes everyone better. We don’t need LaVine , we’re good.
Agreed. Halliburton would’ve been a perfect partner with RJ in the backcourt. A for Zach, I’d pass. Continue with the draft picks.
He’s what Little Dunker calls Blinp: that is a guy who you only trade for if you believe your coach/change of scenery is going to make him better, because his ability is good, but not game changing as it stands. He is not helping the Bulls win…that’s a problem. He has also has whiffs of hype past…inflates value. Like a blinp.
goodyear blimp, but it’s been a badyear.
NG for the Knicks. IQ gonna be a star. Team is building chemistry and is fun to watch for the first time in years. No Lavine. Draft a sf.
If the Knicks were keeping Randle they never should of taken Toppin. Trade Randle and try and get a first round pick. His Value won’t get any higher. If they plan to keep Randle then taking Toppin was a mistake. Halliburton and IQ in the backcourt would have been great.
Gonna end up with the other UCLA guard Ball.Toppin situation will work as soon as they ship Randle for assets.
Knicks need a pg or a shooting 3 D SF. Randle should be traded soon as possible value is very high now. Toppins need more playing time. K hunter from Atlanta would be a great fit
Knicks suck and always will. NY sucks.
Who hurt u lol
Don’t forget about Toppin. As much as I like Halliburton (before draft). He was the right pick. He was BPA and fell to us. Thibs in part was brought here to fix team. Get them playing right and picking up their value. Well Randles value will never be higher. He can bring back good value now. He can help a few teams. Toppin is for real do not believe otherwise. It’s no accident Randle is playing much better all around. That’s what should happen when you draft #1 his position. Right now I can’t get a read on what they want back. SF, Traditional PG is our biggest need. Even getting a Hill for two yrs n letting Quickly develop. Or getting value a young player and a pick. Me personally I would like to see Morris back. Randle can help Clippers they need a 4. Morris a 2way big SF is signed, and a solid vet. Toppin is a better system 4 .
Morris n Williams >>for<< Randle n Nttilikina .
Now we can move Bullock n Burks for picks.
Insightful commentary FloridaMan
If Lavine could net a good young pg, Bulls should pull the trigger. White’s skills are identical and he has more upside as he is learning every game. Patrick Williams looks like he can play “power” forward, whatever that means today, and so Markannen also should be dealt, possibly for a big who can grab boards. Valentine has shown flashes of talent and might fit at SF as a point-forward type. Either WCJ or Gafford should also be dealt, but maybe in the off-season. Contenders will want to kick the tires on Thad Young, Otto Porter and Satoransky, but probably only Young will get dealt. Everyone else on the roster will be let go.
So my thought is that they can probably get some draft picks and/or young assets and try to continue building around White, Williams, and either Gafford or WCJ, with those two on the bubble.
Donovan can be trusted to get the most out of any young players they draft, and frankly trying to compete this year would be counterproductive, as it is a good draft talent pool and the front office has shown they can pick ’em with the Williams pick.
I agree Lavine plays little D and makes bad decisions late in games, probably good for a team that has solid core defensively and needs a spark of offensive athleticism. Not sure who that is.