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Nets Rumors: Brooklyn Could Battle With Knicks in Zach LaVine Trade Talks

ByAdam Weinrib|
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 31: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls in action against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 31, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Brooklyn Nets defeated the Chicago Bulls 133-118. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 31: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls in action against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 31, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Brooklyn Nets defeated the Chicago Bulls 133-118. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

The Nets reportedly have checked in on Bulls star Zach LaVine.

The team that’s officially committed harder to Jim Boylen than Phil Jackson may have maniacally chased another star out of town, and potentially into the waiting arms of the Brooklyn Nets?

Rumor has it, in their chase for a third star, the Nets have made initial overtures and background work on a future Zach LaVine trade, as the Bulls continue to alienate their elite scorer.

The one downside? The Knicks will quite likely also be in that forthcoming conversation, which is definitely going to be a reality down the road, considering how close LaVine and Boylen’s relationship has been to bubbling over.

Last season, LaVine continued his ascent, scoring 25.5 points per game on 45% shooting, hitting 38% from long range. He narrowly missed an All-Star berth in his current “hometown” of Chicago, though it’s clear the region hasn’t entirely connected with him yet.

That’s likely the fault of who’s in charge.

LaVine found himself glued to the bench by Boylen early in the 2019-20 season due to supposed defensive lapses, and he responded with a fervor, completely taking over the next game he appeared in.

The anger only mounted as the year dragged on, with LaVine repeatedly made an example of for no discernible reason, while he was by and large Chicago’s only reliable scoring option.

He didn’t exactly keep his frustration a secret, either.

The Bulls are in a tough spot here. Boylen doesn’t particularly want LaVine, and a trade demand is almost guaranteed, at this point. Why would LaVine stay? He basically asked off the floor repeatedly during this past season.

Though he toiled in relative obscurity this year and hasn’t shed his reputation for inefficiency quite yet, the kid’s only 25 years old, and has many of the traits of an elite shooting guard. Boylen has some major damage control to do here if he doesn’t want teams like the Nets and Knicks to swoop in at the absolute low point of LaVine’s value.

The Nets roster in the bubble isn’t up to par, but this is yet another sign that things will be very different next season.

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