Zach LaVine‘s representative oppose a potential trade to the Knicks, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News reports.
The Bulls’ star swingman is represented by superagent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, while the Knicks have a reputation of favoring clients of CAA, the agency that employed Leon Rose before he took over as New York’s president of basketball operations.
Paul has told confidants for over a year he prefers not to have a client play for the Knicks, according to former Knicks beat reporter Marc Berman (Twitter link). Cam Reddish‘s stint with the Knicks didn’t help matters, as he’s also represented by Klutch Sports. The frosty relationship between Rose and Paul developed during the LeBron James saga — Rose was James’ agent before switching to Klutch.
New York, which didn’t have a first-round pick in Thursday’s draft, has reportedly been seeking ways to acquire another star. LaVine would certainly upgrade their offense — he averaged 24.8 points and 4.2 assists. However, he also brings a huge long-term salary concern for would-be trade partners. He’s entering the second year of his five-year, $215,159,700 contract.
The Knicks can put together an impressive package of picks and young players if the right deal comes along. They were reportedly involved in negotiations with the Wizards for Bradley Beal. A source told Bondy that the Knicks were not having ongoing discussions with the Clippers regarding a potential trade for Paul George. The Knicks reportedly had interest in George, then reconsidered given his age and injury history.
The Knick organization is a dumpster fire. Their fans act like Yankee fans, only exception is that Yankees have won 27 times. The Knicks have won nothing in the past 50 years. Nobody wants the Knicks garbage for their best player. Knick fans somehow hate Randle and think hes garbage yet believe that hes worth say, Paul George in value. Heck the Knick fans even spit on the best teams opposing player when they are losing (Trae Young). From Isiah Thomas to Derek Fisher to David Fizdale, the organization has been run like a Saturday afternoon cookout for decades
Shhhh… too real, too real…
This isn’t hard for the Knicks. You don’t need another star you need more consistent depth guys.
Brunson PG, Barrett SG, Sign Dillion Brooks or Oubre Jr or Hachimura for SF, Randle PF, Robinson C.
Bench of Quickley. Grimes, Hart, Aldama, Tillman, Roddy, and sign some depth free agents.
They should trade Toppin to the Grizzlies for Santi Aldama, Xavier Tillman or Kenneth Lofton Jr, David Roddy for bench depth. Toppin would thrive a lot better in Memphis.
Wut
Knicks have pieces in place. Brunson Barrett Randle. They need depth more than another star. Roby McBride Sims there’s room for improvement for the bench.
I’d move Barrett to sg and sign a sf.
Huge pass on Dillon Brooks. One of the Knicks’s big problems is their lack of outside shooting. Brooks is a low % chucker. They don’t need a major overhaul of their roster, just improvements from a few young guys like RJ, Grimes, and Toppin. And adding a quality role player or two (keeping Hart).
RJ has a lot of room for improvement in his jump shot (especially 3 PT %) and finishing (he’s one of the worst finishers I’ve ever seen with an uncanny ability to miss around the rim; career FG % from 0-3′ is only 60%).
Grimes played well but could be better. Played great defense but could improve his overall offensive skills and get more involved in the offense.
Toppin is very inconsistent, which could be a function of a lack of playing time. I could see trading Toppin because with Randle, he doesn’t fit. But his value can’t be very high at the moment.
Good news is RJ and Grimes will be only 23 this year. Toppin will be 25.
Agree with you. The Knicks have a good nucleus all just the right age in their mid 20s. Even Julius Randle is just 28. The Knicks should just stick with what they have. Improve from within. Hopefully sign Hart. The Knicks were competitive with the Heat.
If I’m Rich Paul’s client I’m telling Paul to jump in a lake if he is putting out there to front office execs not to trade Klutch Sports clients to the Knicks because of Leon Rose and CAA ties. That sounds incredibly petty and acting in his own self interest. I’m not saying if in a player I WANT to go to the Knicks but that’s a dumb reason.
Hope some of his clients decide it is time to get a new agent because of this.
I’m an agent in another biz. I can guarantee you that if Zach excused he was open to go to NY it would happen. The story sounds phoney. Paul might have beef with the Knics but he’s not stupid enough to put it out there that that’s his agency’s position across the board.
Why would u use Reddish as one of the reasons u don’t want to go to NY. Did I miss something Reddish has been awful as a pro. That’s why he doesn’t play.
Exactly. He’s been garbage and inconsistent. He’s played his way off of two teams now and in all likelihood, he’ll be gone from Portland in short order, too.
Can someone tell me what Zach LaVine has accomplished in this league? Nine seasons in and he has played in a grand total of four playoff games. His stats look great on paper but the fact remains that he is not someone you build a team around.
He’s a paper player who hasn’t lifted anyone on the teams he’s played for. Athletically gifted, his goals seem different than the teams he’s played with.
There are around 450 players in the NBA at any time, compared to the overwhelming majority LaVine has accomplished much more than they could ever hope to accomplish.
While true, it is not an actual endorsement of anything LaVine has done in the league. Again: he’s played in one postseason series and only won one playoff game in nine years. It’s clear he’s just a stat padder and doesn’t make his teammates any better. The NBA is the easiest league to make the playoffs in and LaVine still can’t get his teams in.
If Lavine was so great, shouldn’t the Bulls keep him?
Not sure Levine is the answer, either. The Knicks need a Butler type player – strong defense, can score, and lead. Bridges on the Nets would be the closest player I can think of – PG is at that point where it may be too late in his career. IQ, Grimes, Toppin and some first rounders could help the Nets regain a quick turn in a rebuild while the Knicks get the 3+D they need at SF. Still would have Hart and McBride to pester folks on the perimeter. Acquire a backup PF and draft wisely.
Nets hang up. They view Bridges as higher than Lavine level worth RN. Short of throwing 5picks and RJ and more I doubt they’ll go for it. They can’t tank as they will effectively be giving Houston a top pick, they want to be as competitive as possible. Bridges is over valued by them, unless it’s a massive over pay it’s pointless trying.
But let’s be honest Zach walks into Knicks he’s easily 2nd best player or higher on that team. PG would be walk on best player in that team. Either would be an improvement if they keep Brunson. As for PGs age. You mentioned Butler. He’s a year younger and as a player he’s actually better on both ends of the floor, if George is available every team looking to contend should be doing all they can to get him. RJ, IQ and a couple picks would do it with his contract being 1yr+opt. They wouldn’t take Randle. He’ll be a dump elsewhere. He’s not a winning player, good player but be won’t make a team better. Just his own stats.
Zach LaVine for Gordan Hayward, James Bouknight, Mark Williams, JT Thor and a future first round pick.
Absolute haul for the Bulls. Get rid of LaVines massive contract and embrace the rebuild.
3 quality young players and a future first. Haywards deal expires end of this coming season which is great moving forward for them.
Want to go one better?
Demare Derozan for Derrick Rose, Obi Toppin and Miles McBride.
Clear the final year of DeRozan for a farewell season for DRose, while also adding 2 more young prospects.
Line up next year
McBride Caruso Hayward Toppin MarkWilliams
DRose Bouknight Thor PatWilliams …
2024 you own your first round draft pick so you don’t want to win to many games but you want the young players to learn how to play the game the right way. You’ll sell tickets easily as everyone will want to see DRose in a Bulls uniform for the last time. I could see McBride having a breakout season and potentially winning most improved.
His current averages are 3.5-1-0.8, I could see him as a starter putting up 18-6-4
On the other hand, Charlotte take a huge step forward. They give a expiring deal, a couple youngster and a future first for an all star level talent. LaVine would suit there run and gun style. Expect scores to always be above 120
Ball LaVine Miller Bridges (need a C)
Rozier Smith Oubre Washington Richards
Bailey McGowens Martin Gueye
Knicks also take a big step towards being better. They give up DRose who they don’t want or use, Toppin in the final year of his deal and McBride. What they get back is a former all star, all nba level player who will gives them another 25 points per game scorer. He also has tons of experience on a relatively young team that’ll be vital.
Brunson Barrett DeRozan Randle Robinson Quickly Grimes Hart … Hartenstein
What mushrooms do you take to hallucinate this absolute crap?
I don’t know. His trade proposals are always so massive and detailed that I enjoy reading them.
Brunson, Barrett, DeRozan, Randle, and Robinson??
Where is the 3pt shooting?? This isn’t the 90’s. That starting line-up will get cooked in 2023.
That’s unfortunate. It’s one less team that Lavine’s deal can be offloaded to. Maybe we need a 3rd team. Hate to say I said so but the Bulls are probably going to just run out this sad excuse for a playoff team. After an impressive start Management and Ownership have proven unwilling to change or spend. We knew about the spend part, But the rest is new. At least the Bulls have their draft picks for next year I think. They’ve actually proven quite adept at drafting when they keep their picks.
The last impact player they drafted was Jimmy Butler, back in 2011. After that it’s been Carter, whom they traded, White, who hasn’t really done much at all, and Williams, who they are still waiting on to develop. I’d say they’re not successful and the current construct was an injury gamble with Ball and Levine in the backcourt together.
He’s soft!!! He’s not mentally ready for the BRIGHT LIGHTS and will use every excuse except the truth. You can’t handle the pressure of NEW YORK!!!
Non-issue for NYK. He wouldn’t be a trade target. NYK have a great locker room and a workable payroll going into the uncertainty of the new CBA. LaVine would eviserate or at least challenge both.
Good news for NYK fans though. Maybe this will limit the mindless rumors of LaVine to the NYK when he does become available in a year or so (for a Beal type price).
It’s depressing as a die hard hard Knick fan every time we think our beloved NY Knicks culture is getting better it’s another slap in the face that the stars and better NBA talent don’t want to come to NY or we always swing and miss on the Big Fish when it comes to trades. I thought Jalen Big Buckets Brunson changed the Knicks Culture but I guess not . I hope this report is not true about players feeling Leon Rose is favoring CAA players because that is not a good look. I would love Zach Levine to form a lethal back court with Jalen Brunson but we don’t need to trade for a guy who doesn’t want to be here because NY Knicks fans are hard on the few guys that wanted the Knicks like Melo and Randle. Leon Rose still has to get us a bonafide shooter and sniper not another stop gap talent. We got exposed by Miami we need more shooting and we have to get away from this lethargic predictable offense.