NBA Trade Rumors: 8 deals that need to happen at the deadline

Zach LaVine to New York

The New York Knicks have been reportedly monitoring the Zach LaVine situation for what feels like the past two seasons, hoping that the Chicago Bulls would be willing to trade him at some point. Could that be at the NBA Trade Deadline this year?

If so, the Knicks should be all over that possibility. Even though LaVine has one year remaining on his contract after this season, the fact that the Bulls continue to struggle and can’t seem to find an identity could open the possibility that LaVine will leave in free agency once he gets an opportunity to.

To avoid losing him for nothing, it would be wise for the Bulls to see what they can get for him on the open market. The Knicks could send Obi Toppin (the team’s top 10 pick from the 2020 NBA Draft), which would be essentially a first-round pick, and an additional future first-round pick, and a player like Frank Ntilikina to make it all work.

Chicago likely has other deals that they need to make at the NBA Trade Deadline but getting essentially two first-round picks for LaVine, who could be on his way out anyway, wouldn’t be the worst return.