Zach LaVine Trade Rumors: Knicks Contacted Bulls; Asking Price Was 'Giant' for Star

The New York Knicks' search for improvements to their roster reportedly led them to inquire about Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine.

New York "made contact" with Chicago regarding a trade for LaVine, according to The Athletic's Fred Katz, but the asking price was "giant" and the two sides "never got close" to making a deal.

LaVine and his agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, have made it clear they aren't interested in a trade to the Knicks, "who have a reputation around the league of favoring clients of CAA," Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News reported last month.

Knicks president of basketball operations Leon Rose was a CAA agent before joining New York in his current role in 2020.

However, LaVine doesn't have a no-trade clause in his contract, so he might not have much of a say in where he ends up next.

The 28-year-old has four years and $178 million remaining on his contract, and the Bulls consider his trade value "far above" what the Washington Wizards received in exchange for Bradley Beal, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported on June 28.

Washington traded Beal to the Phoenix Suns for Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, six future second-round draft picks and four future first-round pick swaps. The Wizards then sent Paul to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Jordan Poole, a protected 2030 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick.

LaVine joined the Bulls in the blockbuster trade that sent Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves ahead of the 2017-18 season. While he's proven to be a capable leader alongside DeMar DeRozan, Chicago has made the playoffs only once in the last six seasons.

LaVine would be a solid No. 2 option for most contenders. This past season, he averaged 24.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 77 games while shooting 48.5 percent from the floor and 37.5 percent from deep.

The Knicks are slated to enter the 2023-24 campaign with a lineup that includes Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart, Quentin Grimes, RJ Barrett, Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson. To improve upon their 47-35 record from last season, they might need to bring in more talent around Brunson, whether that be LaVine or someone else.