There could be several big names for the New York Knicks on the trade market this season. Karl-Anthony Towns, Damian Lillard, Zion Williamson, Joel Embiid, Zach LaVine, etc.
Starting next Friday, you can include up to eight first-round picks in a trade. Then you have the leverage capital to make a competitive offer. And your young players – Barrett, Grimes, Quickley, Robinson – have improved their trade value since last summer. This gives you the opportunity to put together a compelling trade package for a top-tier player.
Zach LaVine will make $40 million next year. The Knicks would have to send at least $32 million to meet league trade rules. They can do this in several ways.
If the Chicago package includes Evan Fournier, New York would have to send another $13 million in the deal. A package including Fournier, Toppin, Isaiah Hartenstein and a draft fee would work. That would allow Chicago to take pay cuts in 2023-24 and 2024-25, when Fournier’s contract expires. If the Bulls want Barrett, the Knicks sending a package that includes Barrett, Quickley, Toppin and a draft fee would work.