NBA trade rumors: New York Knicks monitoring Zach LaVine amid discontent at Chicago Bulls

The New York Knicks are reportedly monitoring Chicago Bulls shooting guard Zach LaVine.

The Chicago Bulls, currently the No. 11 seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 16-21, may make some moves before the NBA trade deadline on February 9. The Bulls have had limited success, despite having a talented lineup, including Nikola Vucevic, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. They are expected to get rid of key pieces which will open the door for a potential trade to the New York Knicks.

Adding LaVine is bound to make them firm Playoff contenders and might even spark a deeper run. NBA Insider Michael Scotto claimed the following about a potential deal:

“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.”

New York Knicks monitoring Zach LaVine, looking to bring in another star

The New York Knicks made a significant acquisition in the 2022 NBA offseason with the signing of guard Jalen Brunson. They have shown a desire to add more talent to the team. Despite a recent five-game losing streak, the Knicks have a current record of 18-15 and are in contention for a play-in tournament spot. They are just one game behind a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Three players in the form of Julius Randle, RJ Barrett and Brunson are averaging around 20 points per game with Immanuel Quickley and Cam Reddish providing plenty of impetus from off the bench. The team needs another strong 3-point shooter, one of Zach LaVine’s strengths.

A fit and firing Mitchell Robinson means that the Knicks have a strong defensive anchor capable of leading the line. The Knicks’ perimeter defense also seems to have improved, and part of the credit goes to the reintroduction of Miles McBride into the team rotation. Overall, bringing in another star is bound to transform the team into a legitimate Playoff threat.