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Pass or Pursue on Bleacher Report’s Knicks trades to boost 2024 title odds

By Jordanna Clark

Dec 18, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield (24) dribbles the ball while New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett (9) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield (24) dribbles the ball while New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett (9) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Knicks, RJ Barrett
RJ Barrett, New York Knicks. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /

2: Knicks-Bulls trade centered around RJ Barrett

Yes, the Zach LaVine-Knicks rumors are still going. The Bulls are in play-in range, but finishing No. 10 in the conference is a good drop from the team’s No. 6 finish last season. Even with DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, Chicago has underperformed.

LaVine signed a five-year max contract extension with the Bulls over the summer after being named an All-Star in 2021 and 2022. This season, the 28-year-old is averaging 25 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while shooting 48.6% from the floor and 38.2% from deep.

Even though LaVine made a commitment to Chicago less than a year ago, the Bulls could decide to retool their roster over the summer. If the organization decides to listen to offers for LaVine, the Knicks would pop up as an option because of their assets.

Here’s what Bleacher Report believes a possible New York-LaVine trade could look like:

If Chicago trades LaVine without getting any draft compensation in return, that would be a shock. The salaries in the above trade work, but it’s hard to see the Bulls letting LaVine go for RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson.

Barrett signed an extension this past summer himself and has still been plagued by his inconsistency issues this season, so it wouldn’t be that big of a shock if New York included him in a package for a star during the offseason. As for Robinson, he signed a four-year contract in free agency with the Knicks last July but has recently been vocal about his displeasure with his current role. This is all speculation, but maybe Robinson would prefer to be traded.

However, including Robinson (and Barrett) in this deal wouldn’t be worth it for the Knicks. LaVine is a two-time All-Star, but similar to Barrett, his inconsistencies are an issue. Not to mention, his injury history should keep New York from wanting to take on his contract. None of this matters, though, because Chicago would be foolish to even consider this deal.

Verdict: Pass

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