Adding a shooter of the caliber of Zach LaVine alongside RJ’s improved cutting ability would really be a lot to watch. Additionally, the Knicks would organize a mini dunk contest every night on the floor between LaVine and rookie Obi Toppin. Plus, reuniting LaVine with his first NBA manager Tom Thibodeau would be a match made in heaven.
Zach LaVine tried to get out of Chicago last season, but now under new coach Billy Donovan, the organization aims to keep their main attraction in red and black happy. Unfortunately, I don’t think LaVine is suddenly affected by the current situation of the Bulls and then concludes this contract with them. Even if he does, he will definitely be gone in 2 years when the deal is done, and at that point, I don’t think Chicago would be far enough ahead in their rebuilding to get him to stay.
Ideally, you want a player of Zach LaVine’s talent to be your second or third best player on a team competing for the playoffs, so this swap could be the catalyst for that. If the stars were to line up and New York could grab one of the best prospects in the next draft, like Cade Cunningham or Jalen Green, a starting lineup in the ’21 -’22 season would be something like LaVine, Cade or Jalen, RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin and Mitch with Quickley and Knox off the bench.