As Minnesota president / coach, Tom Thibodeau once sent Zach LaVine to Chicago in a 2017 operation by Jimmy Butler.
But the Knicks coach didn’t seem to mind reuniting with the Bulls ’current shot, noting his improvement. It is speculated that Bulls would put LaVine on the block before becoming a free agent in 2022. This could be before the March trading deadline, this summer, or the next trading deadline.
The Knicks need more points and LaVine is a sniper, one of the best pitchers in the NBA. He averages 26.8 points and 5.3 assists. SNY reported during the summer that LaVine would be on the Knicks’ radar.
The biggest advantage the Knicks would have for many interested teams is that they have $ 18 million of maximum space to absorb a big contract without giving too much salary. According to sources, he is one of the many Knicks radar players. Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf could be hesitant to hand out LaVine to Thibodeau, considering the Bulls’ separation was ugly.
Before Monday night’s 110-102 loss to the Bulls, in which LaVine scored 21 points on an 8-of-16 shot with five rebounds, Thibodeau was asked about LaVine’s progression since taking it out. of Minnesota. Ironically, Butler’s incorporation into Minnesota created friction with the young players and led to the dismissal of Thibodeau two years ago.
“I think it has continued to grow every year,” Thibodeau said. “I think sometimes we forget the steps players take to get to where they are today. and for Zach, he started, I think he got about 13 or 14 points per game the first year. Then there was another four-point jump. He now has up to 26, 27. He shoots 50, 40, 90. He is a sniper. He is a great athlete. … But he’s a fantastic, hardworking guy. So you knew it would keep getting better. He’s playing at a very high level. “
The Knicks also have a lot of draft picks, which include two first-round picks this year.
Bulls freshman coach Billy Donovan recruited Julius Randle when Donovan was in Florida. Randle chose Kentucky. Now, Randle has a one-year career and shoots from the 3-point line (37.5%) and may be about to form his first All-Star team.
“Thibs puts him in situations playing Julius’ forces, ”Donovan said. “It simply came to our notice then. It has a great ability to handle balls and feet. He has worked hard on his shot. He is shooting the ball much better. Early in his career, he’s a guy you left alone and trying to get stuck in painting. He is now doing the mid-range, 3s, putting it on the ground. It is a heckuva… driver. He continues to evolve and grow as a player. “
Donovan coached Knicks backup center Nerlens Noel the last two seasons at the OKC. Like Randle, he also recruited Noel but lost him to Kentucky. Noel, who signed a $ 5 million one-year deal with the Knicks in November, lost his second straight game with knee pain.
“I loved her,” Donovan said. “I recruited him after leaving high school. To many of these NBA guys I never got them. He is a fantastic teammate and loves to play with a great ability to block shots. He sees the ground well for a big boy. It was great for us at the OKC. He gave us two incredible years there: everything about the team ”.