The New York Knicks are lurking around and hoping for the availability of Zach LaVine ahead of the February trade deadline this season.
According to Mike Scotto of HoopsHype in his appearance on The Ringer NBA Show, the Knicks are on the radar for the All-Star hotshot.
(H/T Jonathan Sherman of Ahn Fire Digital):
“They tried to get Donovan Mitchell. They’ve got their eyes on Zach LaVine. They’re monitoring him, they’re looking for the star that’s going to become available, which I think is, of course, they’re going to do that. But at the same time, from a negotiating standpoint, any team that’s got a star that is willing to put them on the market and talk to the Knicks is going to try to squeeze them like an orange in Tropicana orange juice, you’re going to get it all out with no pump. That’s what you’re going to want and the Rudy Gobert trade screwed up everything for everybody.”
Given the Bulls’ current inconsistent play that dropped them to 16-21 in the Eastern Conference standings, rumors continue to persist about that potential idea of blowing up. As such, LaVine stars in these rumors given his history of being coveted by several teams due to his scoring ability amid the major signing of a five-year, $215.2 million contract last July.
With the Knicks having a threshold of lucrative first-round picks, they have nothing to offer in order to snag LaVine from the Bulls. As such, one, big trade that will part them away with their core piece will ultimately signal Chicago heading on a rebuild.
With the season still too early, the Bulls may still hold onto LaVine and keep those contending hopes alive. But should they remain out of the contending circle, all hands are possibly on deck for a divorce.
