Mock Trade Lands Knicks Zach LaVine, Mitchell Robinson Replacement

The New York Knicks are hunting for a star and it's easy to see why.

New York has proven capable of taking care of business against lesser competition but has struggled against the elite. Saturday's 130-111 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks dropped them to 0-7 against current conference leaders (Milwaukee, Boston, Minnesota) this season while they're 16-5 otherwise.

With that in mind, Bleacher Report suggested that the Knicks trade RJ Barrett, Evan Fournier, and a 2024 first-round pick (top-10-protected, via Dallas) for LaVine and Andre Drummond.

"While a LaVine-Jalen Brunson backcourt would be defensively challenged, the upgrade from Barrett to LaVine in scoring, shooting, and playmaking could be worth it. LaVine could relieve some of New York's inside-the-arc congestion and widen the attack lanes for Brunson and Julius Randle," Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley writes. "Drummond, meanwhile, could give some relief to a center rotation that could be without Mitchell Robinson all season."

While LaVine and Barrett both have similar scoring outputs, the former has been far more efficient and effective at creating offense in his career. In 77 games last season, LaVine averaged 24.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while shooting 48.5 percent from the field and (37.5 percent from three).

LaVine, a client of Rich Paul's Klutch Sports, has reportedly been wary of moving to the Knicks due to Leon Rose's connections to Creative Artists Industry. CAA clients are said to be favored in negotiations with Rose's Knicks, though they've had trouble securing some of the more renowned names connected.

Knicks Interested in Trading For Zach LaVine?

Such a trade would be a risk, but the Knicks have to stop playing conservatively while they have Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle in their primes.

The Knicks and Bulls face off four times this season, the first one scheduled for Jan. 3.. In the meantime, the Knicks tip off the NBA Christmas schedule on Monday against the Milwaukee Bucks (12 p.m. ET, ESPN).