The New York Knicks have been linked to potentially trading for Zach LaVine. But what would it take for the Knicks to get LaVine?
The New York Knicks and trade speculations: Inextricably tied like apple pie and ice cream (except trade rumors are more tiresome than sweet). Here we are again with the emergence of a new rumor: Will the Knicks trade for Zach LaVine?
Ian Begley reported that the Knicks are one of the two known teams that have conducted their due diligence on the young guard who ranked 11th in scoring this season (the other team is the Brooklyn Nets). However, with the firing of former Chicago Bulls head coach Jim Boylen, a trade is less likely. But with a new Chicago front office and head coach, you can’t rule out a potential trade for a player with two years left on his contract.
Some may shudder at the idea of the Knicks trading for LaVine, and that’s understandable. Historically, the Knicks haven’t been on the winning side when it comes to executing trades (cue painful memories of losing Eddy Curry, Carmelo Anthony, Andrea Bargnani, and Kristaps Porzingis), so the thought of trading for LaVine is cause for pause. Still, the Knicks do need an offensive threat, and LaVine fits the bill – that is if the Knicks are not outbid by stronger offers from other teams.
However, even if the Knicks traded for LaVine, it would be difficult to predict the team’s success. The team is expected to look completely different next season, so we can’t project what LaVine’s impact would be. What should be expected, though, is that the team will be well-coached under Tom Thibodeau.
Speaking of Thibodeau, he was LaVine’s coach for one season in Minnesota before he dealt LaVine to the Bulls. LaVine is reported to still have high respect for Thibodeau regardless of the trade, so, there would be no animosity if LaVine were to reunite with his former skipper.
Whenever it comes to making a trade, the question is how much it will cost (i.e., players, draft picks, or cash consideration). LaVine is a particularly tricky player to gauge value on. We know he isn’t in the tier of Anthony Davis, Pascal Siakam, or Jayson Tatum, and he also isn’t an average role player. So, in order to gauge LaVine’s trade value, we need to review his age, contract value, and improvements, as well as the attributes he would bring to the team.