Ahead of the 3 PM ET NBA trade deadline on Thursday, the New York Knicks have reportedly re-started negotiations for an All-Star talent from the Chicago Bulls.
In the final 24 hours before the trade deadline, there has been a flurry of notable moves. The two most prominent trades were made by the Knicks’ in-city rivals the Brooklyn Nets, as they shipped off superstars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in a pair of blockbuster deals. However, for the team that plays in Madison Square Garden, the lead-up to the deadline has been a bit quieter.
Also Read: Ben Simmons involved in numerous trade discussions as Nets blow it up
On Wednesday, the New York Knicks did pull off a deal that will improve the team for this season when they shipped off disgruntled forward Cam Reddish for Portland Trail Blazers talent Josh Hart. While there has been speculation around possible deals for other players on the roster, there have been few rumors for big-time stars outside of reported interest in Toronto Raptors defensive ace OG Anunoby.
Well, that changed about an hour before the NBA trade deadline.
New York Knicks targeting blockbuster trade for Zach LaVine at NBA trade deadline
On Thursday afternoon, Chicago Sun-Times Bulls beat writer Joe Cowley revealed that New York and Chicago have had serious talks about a deal for All-Star guard Zach LaVine.
“Just heard from a source that Bulls and Knicks are revisiting talks on a LaVine trade. Talks began yesterday but broke off. Now back on.”
– Report on Knicks/Bulls talks
LaVine and New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau have a history dating back to their tenures with the Minnesota Timberwolves several years ago. Some might think the 27-year-old would be hesitant in working with the man who traded him to Chicago in 2017 when he served as the ‘Wolves’ head coach and general manager. However, in 2020 LaVine had nothing but positive things to say about his time with Thibodeau.
“Look, I understand the business of basketball. Yeah, he traded me, but for that one season he did coach me, he gave me an opportunity. He put the ball in the hands of a 20, 21-year-old kid and said, ‘Go hoop.’ That’s bigger than the business of basketball.”
– Zach LaVine (via Chicago Sun-Times)
- Zach LaVine stats (2022-2023): 23.6 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.0 SPG, 38% 3PT
A deal for the star that signed a massive five-year, $215 million deal this summer could likely include young Knicks talents like Obi Toppin, Quentin Grimes, or Immanuel Quickly, and at least two of their future first-round picks.
It will likely take a major package to land Zach LaVine, but a starting lineup featuring Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, LaVine, and Jalen Brunson should be very formidable in a deep Eastern Conference.