Dec 23, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) sets the play while being defended by New York Knicks guard Quentin Grimes (6) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
Knicks News: Zach LaVine-Knicks trade complications, Evan Fournier’s future
New York Knicks fans waited patiently to see if Leon Rose and Co. would trade into the draft. It was an extremely uneventful 2023 NBA Draft for the Knicks, but it got a little spicier thanks to a report about Zach LaVine.
Shortly after the second round began, New York Daily News’ Stefan Bondy reported (subscription required), “A source said the LaVine camp isn’t interested in dealing with the Knicks, who have a reputation around the league of favoring clients of CAA.” Marc Berman, who used to cover the Knicks for the New York Post, chimed in on the report with a tweet of his own:
SNY’s Ian Begley reported earlier this week that there are “hurdles” involved in a possible Knicks-LaVine deal that would complicate a trade going through. Based on what Berman tweeted, it could all boil down to LaVine being represented by Klutch.
Bondy also reported earlier on Thursday that Evan Fournier’s reps are working with New York on a trade for the 30-year-old guard. Following the Knicks’ second-round playoff loss to the Heat, Fournier said that there “was no way” New York was going to keep him entering the 2023-24 season.
More Knicks news
- The Mavericks traded the No. 10 pick and Davis Bertans to the Thunder for the No. 12 pick. Dallas selected Dereck Lively out of Duke. The Mavericks sent the Knicks a top-10 protected pick as part of the Kristaps Porzingis trade but purposely tanked to keep the pick.
- According to SNY’s Ian Begley, New York and Los Angeles had conversations about a Paul George trade. However, his health and looming contract extension have reportedly kept the Knicks and other teams away from seriously pursuing a trade.
- It was thought that if New York was going to trade into the draft, it was going to be done by dealing Obi Toppin. The 25-year-old forward is still on the Knicks’ roster, but trading him this offseason appears to be a priority for the front office.
NBA news
- Unsurprisingly, Victor Wembanyama was selected No. 1 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Spurs. He’s expected to play for San Antonio in Summer League.
- The Rockets had considered selecting Villanova’s Cam Whitmore with the No. 4 pick but instead selected Amen Thompson. Whitmore was shockingly still on the board at No. 20 for Houston as the steal of the draft.
- After a three-team trade involving the Wizards, Celtics, and Clippers fell through on Wednesday, Kristaps Porzingis was officially dealt to Washington shortly before midnight. The deal involved the Wizards, Celtics, and Grizzlies. Marcus Smart was traded to Memphis after spending his first nine years in the league in Boston.
