According to recent reports, the Chicago Bulls guard – who averaged a career-high 25.5 points per game before the season’s suspension, is attracting interest from the two New York teams.
LaVine also averaged career-highs in rebounds (4.8) and steals (1.5) per game, alongside 4.2 assists per game as the fulcrum of a Bulls side that narrowly missed out on an invite to Orlando’s resumption this month.
They had a 22-43 record and lost three of their last five without LaVine, who was nursing a minor quad injury before March’s suspension.
The Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks have reportedly each done “background work” LaVine, should the 25-year-old become available for a trade.
SNY’s Ian Begley reported earlier today that both teams are “monitoring” the situation and “have the assets” to build a formidable offer.
Given the Bulls’ underachievement, LaVine has now finished the second season of his four-year, $78m contract.
Not in Orlando, what’s next for the Bulls?
Chicago hired Arturas Karnisovas as their new executive vice president of basketball operations to push the franchise forward.
He’s since added 76ers exec Marc Eversley as part of a promising staffing team tasked with building the Bulls back into a force in the East.
They have gone five successive seasons without winning a playoff series.
Under-fire head coach Jim Boylen remains there, which is a key question that needs answering.
As mentioned in the aforementioned article, LaVine and Boylen haven’t exactly seen eye-to-eye – with the latter’s perceived lack of trust an issue.
READ: Fire or keep? Bulls being patient with decision on HC Jim Boylen
NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson recently revealed that LaVine had a “positive visit” with the new regime.
As far as they’re concerned, they remain focused on bolstering their roster for next season – rather than fielding offers to trade away their franchise player and rebuild.
It doesn’t make sense for them to entertain advances, let alone for their Eastern Conference rivals, at a period where assets are in high demand.
Mo and Sports 