The Knicks are searching for ways to upgrade their roster, but they haven’t engaged in serious trade talks with the Bulls about Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan or any other players, sources tell Ian Begley of SNY.tv. New York has been floated as a potential suitor for LaVine and reportedly explored a possible deal with Chicago prior to last season’s deadline. The Bulls are hoping to find a taker for LaVine, but his latest injury setback should cool any interest around the league, at least for a while.
Bojan Bogdanovic has also been a target for the Knicks in the past, but Begley’s sources say Detroit isn’t looking to move him right now. Bogdanovic recently returned from a calf strain, and the Pistons hope he can help snap an 18-game losing streak and get them heading in the right direction before considering any deals.
There’s more from New York City:
- Recent frustration expressed by Knicks guards Josh Hart and Quentin Grimes is the result of a poorly constructed roster with too many redundant players, contends Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. Bondy points out that team president Leon Rose created a roster imbalance this summer when he traded power forward Obi Toppin to Indiana for virtually nothing and signed shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo. The move gave New York too many guards and wings, without enough playing time to keep them all satisfied. Grimes is unhappy about losing minutes to DiVincenzo, but Bondy notes that the same situation occurred last year when Evan Fournier was replaced by Grimes. Bondy’s solution is to either move Grimes to the second unit, which would give him more play-making duties, or to balance the roster with a long-rumored trade for another star.
- Spencer Dinwiddie has been willing to adapt his role amid heavy injuries to the Nets‘ backcourt, notes Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Ben Simmons, Dennis Smith Jr., Cam Thomas and Lonnie Walker have all missed time already, forcing Dinwiddie to spend more time running the offense, and he has posted one of the best assist-to-turnover ratios in the league. Dinwiddie will be a free agent next summer, and Lewis says there’s a belief in league circles that his next contract could top the $81MM over four years that Hart received from the Knicks.
- Smith, who refers to himself as “a savage,” has been showing why the Nets were so determined to add him in free agency, observes CJ Holmes of The New York Daily News. Smith returned Saturday after missing six games with a lower back sprain, adding another level of toughness to Brooklyn’s scrappy lineup.
If the Knicks don’t get DeRozan this season, we’ll need to come together as a community and keep an eye on KnickerbockerAl so he doesn’t do any harm to himself…
Derozen is the best move since there is no commitment past this year. OG may be the better need.
DeRozan is only a good move if they don’t have to give up much. Fournier plus picks or something like that.
I’d send Donte in that deal as well and sprinkle a couple of more draft picks if Big Al got his way. Donte is the redundant issue and the cost for him per year is too high for what comes back in return. Rose needs to accept this as a mistake, cut the loss if possible. Taking DRoz for Fournier clogs up the SG/SF spots even more so unless Donte or others are moved.
Yeah, not a bad idea. My main issue with Al’s proposal is that he wants to ship out IQ. That seems crazy to me.
Bulls need bigs, not more guards who do not play pg.
Detroit is having the same problem the Knicks are having that Bondy pointed out at a much more acute level.
It’s time to break the Pistons up.
Bondy is a complete idiot. More depth than a team can use when everyone is healthy isn’t a roster flaw, nor is it a reason to make a trade (though it should accommodate one) or make a nonsensical change in the starting lineup, which could only reduce Grimes’ minutes. Bondy is understandably frustrated by his limited ability as well as his lack of access to the FO, but, in his case at least, the latter has been well earned. This latest installment of his wisdom is just another reason why.
I believe the Bulls are going to run the unit they have out there for the next four to six weeks.
When the fourth week comes up LaVine will have another setback and the Bulls will then let him play a little before the trade deadline so they can unload him.
If the team is responding well without LaVine then you know he is gone for sure but his stock will be very low, so now the main focus for the front office is to find that one sucker!
Do you really believe everything they write or say. We all know Fournier is gone this yr.
If you watch the Knicks. You know their weak link right now is SG. Donte was signed to push Grimes. And to play if Grimes gets moved. Zach is not made for NY. So forget him. DeM is a solid fit. Just plug him in for Grimes.
IQ doesn’t have a future in NY. Knicks are not paying him top dollar to backup Jalen. It’s just the reality. Quickley needs to start somewhere.
Even if it’s not for DeM. Quickley is going to be moved. Moving both Quickley and Grimes. Opens up mins for Hart and Donte. McBride can backup Jalen. Only needs to play 16-20 mins a gm.
Quickley (24) and Grimes (23) mins. Get taken by DeM at 34-35 mins. Rest go to Donte and Hart. So now your rotation guys are Hart, Donte, Hartenstein, McBride. Still a nine man rotation. It’s what Thibs plays. McBride can handle the load. With Quickley gone he won’t be looking over his shoulder. Knicks still need a backup to Randle. So that makes him the 10th man. Pretty simple to me.
DeM and Bagley are the two guys I’d go after.
My second choice would be ….
Grant and Bagley (or if Pistons would trade Stewart). Either DeM or Grant on the starting 5 in NY. Makes this team a legit threat. Reason I like DeM is cause he’s a closer. And gets clutch baskets. Another legit proven scorer makes everyone better. Makes the team better. Plus both those guys need rings. So they would just fit right in at MSG. Fans would support them hard. Plus we wouldn’t have to give up any core players. You have to understand that’s Huge.
If I was running the Knicks. I’d get DeM and Grant ……
If the Bulls are meshing well without Zach then you can bet DeMar will be staying and Zach is gone.
Unfortunately Zach value now is low. Zach may be moved. But it might not even be this yr. Bulls want top value for Zach. DeM could leave next yr. Why should Bulls pay DeM for three good yrs. Already paying Zach. Imo they play same position. Best to get younger and deeper around Zach. A real PG would work best with Zach. Quickley is ready to start Now. Grimes can backup the 2. Fournier can get you a PF at TD. He’s got 18 mill coming off the books.
Brunson, RJ, DeRozan, Randle, Mitch
McBride, DiVincenzo, Hart, Hartenstein.
Is a Nice team.
They need more shooting anyways.
Grab Luke Kennard, Bryn Forbes, a stretch 4 that can defend.
Bones Hyland could be useful.
A stretch 4 to backup Randle would be nice.
Knikerbockeral : bulls need big.if ddr move to the knick,the knick should give hartenstein. He isnt great player,but he should be bulls starting pf.except bd keep stay with small ball and play caruso as pf…