Knicks: The team’s best trade offer for dunk champion Zach LaVine
By Allen Settle
The Trade
This begs the obvious question: What would a trade that sent Zach LaVine to New York look like? While the former UCLA superstar has yet to crack the tier of top players in the league, he is still a well-respected scorer. He is also one of the most valuable assets for a Bulls team that is striving to reenter postseason contention.
The Bulls will certainly be uninterested in giving up their star at a discounted rate. However, the following offer would be a great starting point.
This trade would allow the Knicks to get a serviceable star, without giving up any of their own picks. They would also retain their core of Mitchell Robinson, RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin. The Bulls on the other hand, would add two young lottery picks in Frank Ntilikina and Kevin Knox, as well as a first round selection via the Mavericks.
If the Bulls were to show serious interest in Knox and Ntilikina, this could be a realistic trade scenario. While the Knicks should be wary of adding talent so quickly in which the team forfeits their chance at the #1 pick in the 2021 NBA draft, the addition of a player like LaVine to a competitive young squad is a step in the right direction.
In the event that a trade were completed near the trade deadline, the franchise will be in an excellent position to add star power while still maintaining their tanking strategy, anyway.
Additionally, this move would also give New York one of the most athletic and dynamic offensive attacks in the league. Imagine a world with Immanuel Quickley at the point, LaVine as the other guard, Barrett at small forward, Toppin at power forward, and Robinson at center.
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Not only would this be an exciting young core, it would also bring a unique flare and excitement to an otherwise starved basketball market. If you added a top three pick in next season’s draft, the Knicks could have a path toward real relevance in 2021 and beyond.