The New York Knicks look like a team that is going to be in the mix for one of the final spots outside of the NBA Play-In Tournament all season. They are receiving career years from Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle while still buying into the system that Tom Thibodeau has put into place.
New York emphasizes slowing the game down and limiting their opponent’s possessions. They are confident in their schemes, which Thibodeau has adjusted to higher value shot-taking on offense while playing suffocating defense.
The young players on the roster are getting a shot to play and making the most of the opportunity. Since the last rotation change was made following an embarrassing loss to the Dallas Mavericks on December 3rd, the Knicks have gone 13-5.
Their most recent four-game winning streak has come without RJ Barrett on the court. In the game against the Mavericks on December 27th, Barrett suffered what the team called a laceration to his right hand. It turns out that Barrett actually banged his hands against each other, causing a fracture to his finger. Stitches were required after the bone pierced the skin.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls & New York Knicks Updates
Could Barrett have a new teammate the next time that he steps on the court? New York is active in trade rumors and they are one of the teams that have been connected to Chicago Bulls All-Star, Zach LaVine. The Bulls have stabilized recently, winning three games in a row. Alas, some major changes could be on the horizon in the Windy City.
If the Bulls decide to go into a rebuild ahead of the trade deadline and reset, expect the Knicks to be a suitor. But, it will not come cheap as the Knicks will be asked to part with a ton of assets according to NBA insider, Michael Scotto.
“They tried to get Donovan Mitchell,” said NBA insider Michael Scotto. “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.”
There is a real argument to be made that acquiring LaVine would be a bad move for the Knicks. If they weren’t willing to meet the asking price that Danny Ainge set on Donovan Mitchell, a multi-time All-Star himself, why would they for LaVine?
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls & New York Knicks Updates
LaVine hasn’t been able to lead his team to the same level of success that Mitchell previously had and he is also an injury risk coming off knee surgery. In the first year of a five-year, $215 million contract, the risk outweighs the reward.
Fit is also a major issue. Acquiring LaVine would almost assuredly push Quentin Grimes to the bench. While LaVine is a gifted offensive player, he leaves a lot to be desired defensively. For the Knicks’ schemes to work, they need a strong defender on the wing paired with Brunson and Barrett, which is why things went so poorly when Evan Fournier was the starting shooting guard.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls & New York Knicks Updates
LaVine is certainly a talented player, but his fit would be an awkward one in New York. The Knicks need to continue featuring and developing the young talent on their roster and when a more well-rounded star emerges, pounce on the opportunity to acquire them.
