NBA Rumors: New York Knicks to target former Dunk Contest champion to fill their need of a star player

NBA rumors suggest the New York Knicks could eye Zach LaVine at the trade deadline if he becomes available. The Knicks have wanted to pursue a star player for a long time but haven't found success in the market.

They almost acquired Donovan Mitchell, but the Cleveland Cavaliers made a last-minute swoop, leaving the Knicks stranded in their desire to land a star. New York desperately needs a star to improve its roster. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that LaVine could be the next big name they could be after in the market during a segment on ESPN's NBA Countdown show. Here's what he said:

"Players like Donovan Mitchell do not become available very often. And that's the challenge for the Knicks right now. Who is the next big player that becomes available that the Knicks can try to make a deal (for) using their picks using their young players?

"That's the race against the clock right now. The Knicks will be watching Chicago. Is Zach LaVine a player who, before the trade deadline, possibly could become available? Certainly, isn't now."

The New York Knicks have many young players like Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley and Cam Reddish as possible trade chips, along with eight of their future first-round picks. They should have been able to complete the move for Donovan Mitchell, but they were hesitant to spend big for the All-Star guard.

The Knicks cannot afford to miss out on another chance to acquire a star player if one is available in the future. They have the assets to get deals done, and adding a big name could help them compete against the top teams in their conference again. It will also make them an attractive destination for top free-agent prospects.

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New York Knicks continue being mentioned in trade rumors

The New York Knicks have been one of the most frequent mentions in trade rumors since the beginning of this past offseason. New York was in the mix for Donovan Mitchell, but the deal fell apart.

However, they were able to get some crucial business done by offloading veteran players like Kemba Walker, Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel to create cap space to sign Jalen Brunson in free agency.

The Knicks could once again be in the mix to make small trades. Players like Cam Reddish, Evan Fournier and Derrick Rose have been mentioned as potential candidates to leave the team. All three players have been out of the rotation, and a move seems imminent. Reddish and Rose have also generated interest around the league.

The New York Knicks could use these pieces to secure impactful role players who will fit well within their system and feature in their rotation consistently. They need impactful 3-and-D players. Many teams could look to sell aggressively once the trade deadline approaches. The Knicks could use the likes of Reddish, Rose and Fournier to make small deals that could help them improve in some areas.

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