Consistency is key in the NBA. Typically, it comes with having a superstar on your roster. Every contending team needs that one player that they can rely on. If they don’t have them, they’re likely to flounder.
Meanwhile, NBA fans have been waiting for the New York Knicks to trade for a star. Any time a superstar becomes available, he’s linked to the Knicks.
Yet, invariably, the Knicks don’t land him. That doesn’t mean that they won’t make that trade. This front office has been patient – but eventually, they’ll strike.
After all, Julius Randle has been wildly unreliable. He can look the part of a superstar, but too often, his play declines. If the Knicks want to contend, they’ll need to find a player who can give them more consistent offensive production.
How about Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls?
NBA Trade Proposal: New York Knicks Land Chicago Bulls’ Zach LaVine
Chicago Bulls Receive: F Julius Randle, G/F Evan Fournier, 2026 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2028 First-Round Pick (NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: G/F Zach LaVine
Sure, consistency is great. Consistent mediocrity is another thing altogether. You’d rather be inconsistent. Any NBA fan would rather root for a team that’s inconsistent over a team that’s consistently outside of the playoff picture.
Just ask a Bulls fan. When this team assembled their current core, they had big dreams. The Bulls surely envisioned themselves in the playoffs. It hasn’t gone that way.
The trio of LaVine, DeRozan, and Vucevic was supposed to take them to the promised land. Unfortunately, they’ve consistently fallen short of the mark during their time together.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks Updates
With that in mind, the Bulls are a team to keep an eye on. They’re widely seen as candidates to host a fire sale before the deadline. Should they accept this type of return for LaVine?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
We said that LaVine could be a more consistent source of offense for the Knicks. Sure, he could be more consistent than Randle. With that said, LaVine has been quite inefficient for Chicago this year. As far as his trade value goes, that’s a problem.
So, the Bulls should be happy to land a pair of unprotected first-round picks for him. That’s likely his market value at the moment. The fact that Fournier’s contract is expiring doesn’t hurt, either. On the other hand, Randle is on the books for a few more years. Should the Bulls take him on?
Why not? It’s possible that the Bulls will be happy to move forward with Randle – perhaps he’ll be more consistent in a different environment.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks Updates
Yet, that’s not the main point here. The Bulls are flipping LaVine for the draft capital. In time, they could move Randle as well. Should the Knicks move him now?
Why The New York Knicks Do The Deal
LaVine is struggling this season. With that said, the Bulls are generally a mess. It’s safe to assume that his efficiency would improve in a new environment. Generally speaking, LaVine has been scoring at a high clip with good efficiency for years now.
So, the Knicks should be happy to add him. They don’t need to worry about the picks that they’re forfeiting, either. If LaVine does return to form, this will be a steal for New York. When he’s at his best, he’s worth more than a pair of first-rounders.
They don’t need to worry about moving Randle, either. In fact, the Knicks may benefit from plugging Josh Hart into his spot in the starting lineup.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks Updates
RJ Barrett is turning the corner this year, too – the Knicks should have a better, more balanced starting lineup following this deal. After that, they’ll just need to start winning on a consistent basis.
