The New York Knicks tried to trade for Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine, but Chicago’s asking price for the two-time NBA All-Star was “giant,” according to Fred Katz of The Athletic.
The Bulls and Knicks never got close to a LaVine trade since New York wasn’t willing to give Chicago want it wanted for the two-time Slam Dunk champion.
“New York made contact with the Chicago Bulls about their shooting guard, Zach LaVine, but the asking price for the two-time All-Star was ‘giant,’ as one league source told The Athletic, which is exactly why LaVine remains in Chicago,” Katz wrote. “The Knicks and Bulls, according to league sources, never got close.”
The Bulls have engaged several teams on LaVine trade opportunities since the 2022-23 season ended. The 28-year-old LaVine averaged 24.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Bulls last season. He will make $40 million next season. The UCLA product signed a five-year, $215.2 million contract in July 2022.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls & New York Knicks Updates
Chicago missed the playoffs this year after making it in 2022, which is why some NBA execs believe the franchise could rebuild this offseason. To that end, several execs are skeptical about the long-term marriage between LaVine and the Bulls.
LaVine would look good in a Knicks jersey. However, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, LaVine doesn’t want to be traded to New York despite the organization possessing the necessary assets to pursue a deal. The shooting guard doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, though, so LaVine can’t veto a trade to the Knicks.
However, it doesn’t appear New York will acquire LaVine, who is “not happy” his name keeps coming up in trade rumors, a league source told NBA Analysis Network.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls & New York Knicks Updates
LaVine has appeared in 348 games with the Bulls. He’s averaging 24.5 points with Chicago and has made two All-Star teams. However, the Bulls have won only one playoff game since acquiring LaVine from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the summer of 2017 in the blockbuster Jimmy Butler trade.
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