Knicks, Lakers, Mavs, Heat Potential Suitors for Bulls’ Zach LaVine

The Knicks, Lakers, Mavericks and Heat are viewed as potential suitors of Bulls guard Zach LaVine should he become available ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

LaVine just signed a five-year, maximum contract extension during the offseason — but the Bulls have had a shaky first half and reports suggest LaVine is wondering about his role.

Several reports have suggested the Knicks have had him on their radar for a good month. 

If the Bulls do end up making LaVine available, he likely would not come cheap to opposing teams. Chicago would undoubtedly seek talented young players and picks. The Lakers, for instance, are short on both.

The Knicks, on the other hand, have lots of picks and salary to match, as Scotto noted.

“Overall, however, Chicago hasn’t shown a willingness to be a seller yet, with about a month until the trade deadline, while currently on the edge of competing for a back-end Play In spot,” per Scotto.

LaVine, 27, is averaging 22.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 34 appearances, just slightly off his numbers from the previous four seasons.

As a team, the Bulls have really struggled one year after returning to the playoffs. Part of that can be chalked up to injuries — with LaVine missing time and point guard Lonzo Ball having been out since last January.

That said, the Bulls were able to pull it together for at least Wednesday night, bringing an end to the Nets’ 12-game win streak.