Details on the Knicks’ plans for Zach LaVine Trade

The Chicago Bulls will have some tough decisions to make in the coming weeks. They are performing well below expectations this season, currently 13-18 and on the outside looking into the NBA Play-In Tournament in the Eastern Conference.

It would be easy for the organization to convince itself that this is a blip in the radar given some of the challenges they face.

The biggest point of concern is that Lonzo Ball’s knee injury remains a bit of a mystery as there is no timetable for his return, despite undergoing the first procedure 11 months ago.

Zach LaVine also sometimes experiences some rust from his own off-season knee procedure. Patrick Williams has yet to make that leap into year three, but given his tantalizing potential, it would be easy to talk himself into making it eventually. They were one of the best teams in the NBA last season when they were healthy, so it’s easy to paint a positive picture.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls & New York Knicks Updates

Unfortunately, this is not last season. On the other side of the coin, if the Bulls’ goal is to compete for championships, they must accept the harsh reality that this roster is not built for that. Assuming Ball gets healthy is a risky proposition, and there is growing tension between LaVine and DeMar DeRozan on the court.

Lava too not face to face with the Bulls, which could lead to some major changes in the coming weeks. There’s a chance that ownership will allow the front office to blow things up and redecorate, in which case a player like LaVine could become available. If that were to happen, keep an eye on the New York Knicks as one possible landing site according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

“Just before Chicago executives Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley arrived in Las Vegas for the Showcase, Bulls star Zach LaVine drew the frustration of his teammates during a Minnesota blowout. Several NBA teams, including the New York Knicks, are eyeing LaVine’s availability in the trade market after Chicago’s disappointing start to the season at 12-18, Lonzo Ball’s return from an injury in question, and Nikola Vucevic’s impending free service.

New York had their eight-game winning streak broken Wednesday at the hands of the Toronto Raptors, but that stretch put them in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, outside of the Play-In Tournament. Before that streak started, they looked like a franchise willing to shake things up with a big deal, but that may not be the case anymore.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls & New York Knicks Updates

Given the success Tom Thibodeau has found with the nine-man rotation that came together on December 4, it would be hard to imagine the Knicks now wanting to trade multiple pieces for a player of LaVine’s caliber.

Unless the Knicks go off the rails, a trade of that size is more likely to happen off-season.