Knicks, Raptors, Heat tied to Zach LaVine Trade

Many people will be keeping an eye on the Chicago Bulls in the coming weeks as we quickly head towards this season’s NBA trade deadline. They are one of the teams that can choose to become sellers before the deadline and turn the tide of the playoff races.

The Bulls are currently on the outside of the NBA Play-In Tournament in the Eastern Conference, but only half a game behind the Toronto Raptors. That’s not where they expected to be, given some of the steps they’ve taken to upgrade the roster ahead of the 2021 deadline and subsequent off-season.

Chicago acquired Nikola Vucevic from the Orlando Magic before that deadline and followed it up with a strong free agency. They acquired DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball in sign-and-trade deals, while also bringing in Alex Caruso to bolster the backcourt. When they were healthy, the Bulls were among the best teams in the Eastern Conference, but they may never reach that level again.

Ball’s return to the field is up in the air as he continues to struggle with knee pain despite his first procedure in January. The reported tension between DeRozan and Zach LaVine could lead to some changes as the two just don’t fit well on the court with their overlapping skills.

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

Can the front office move LaVine? He has so far been involved in some trade wrangling with the Bulls considering a rebuild. Locked in a long-term deal and with some injury worries, Chicago could be open to getting all possible value back in exchange for him and resetting.

If he were to hit the market, the New York Knicks have the best chances of acquiring him at +250, according to Sports betting.AG. In early December, New York seemed destined to cause some major shakeups after an embarrassing loss at home to the Dallas Mavericks.

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

Then followed an eight game winning streak, but they have lost four more games in a row. Another embarrassing loss for the Mavericks came Tuesday night, when the Knicks squandered a nine-point lead with 35 seconds left in the game that could make them reconsider their stance.

Next on the list are the Toronto Raptors with +300, who have some decisions to make on their own. Now Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. having both player options for the 2023-2024 season is about to get expensive. Toronto could try to shake up its roster to avoid the luxury tax while also reshaping things in what was a disappointing start.

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

Third on the list is the Miami Heat at +350. With Pat Riley at the helm, you can expect the Heat to be involved in some capacity when an All-Star player becomes available. LaVine would fit well offensively to put pressure on Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro.