Bulls' Zach LaVine Says No To Knicks Trade?

Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine reportedly doesn't want to be traded to the New York Knicks.

If the New York Knicks plan on adding an elite playmaker this offseason, they can apparently cross one potential option off of their list: Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News reported that Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine "would be against a potential deal to the Knicks." 

The report states that the Knicks' history with CAA, where team president Leon Rose previously served as a player agent prior to his front office entry, is part of the reason why LaVine would prefer to be traded elsewhere. LaVine is repped by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, whose clientele also includes De'Aaron Fox, Draymond Green, and Paul's longtime friend LeBron James.

"A source said the LaVine camp isn’t interested in dealing with the Knicks, who have a reputation around the league of favoring clients of CAA, the agency that employed Leon Rose before his move to the Knicks front office," NYDN writes. "Of course, the Knicks don’t need such approval to make a trade. But landmines are set and often detonated under those circumstances."

LaVine has four years and $178 million remaining on his contract. The 28-year-old guard averaged 24.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game last year. The two-time All-Star has proven to be a consistent scoring threat, averaging no worse than 24 points per game in each of the last four seasons. 

The 10th-place Bulls went 40-42 and finished a game short of the 2023 playoffs, dropping the last Eastern Play-In game to eventual runner-up Miami. 

New York has four potential first-round picks in the 2024 draft and two first-round picks in 2025. With six first-round picks in the next two drafts, the Knicks are well-positioned to make a big move this offseason, though it seems unlikely it'll be LaVine.  

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