Zach LaVine appears to be a sought-after commodity on the trade market, but former New York Knicks GM Scott Perry isn’t too high on the 28-year-old. During an appearance on the Hoop Genius podcast, Perry shared his thoughts on the two-time All-Star.
“No question that Zach LaVine can score the basketball,” Perry said. “He has proven that in his nine years in the NBA, I know this is his 10th season. He has shot the ball well, he’s a career 38% three-point shooter, explosive athlete. He has proven that he can score the basketball.”
While Perry has no doubts about LaVine’s ability to score, the 59-year-old doesn’t view him as a player who impacts winning.
“Next thing that I look at then (is) does he impact winning? Zach LaVine has been to 1 playoff series in 9 years,” Perry continued. “So, he’s played a total of 4 playoff basketball games. So now I say to myself, I’m looking at $40 this year, $43, $46, and $49 million in subsequent years for a guy who—to this point—has not impacted winning to the level that his money says he should impact.”
Former Knicks GM Scott Perry on HoopGenius: “No question that Zach LaVine can score the basketball…Does he impact winning? Zach LaVine has been to 1 playoff series in 9 years. He's played a total of 4 playoff basketball games…I'm looking at $40, $43, $46 & $49 million for a guy… pic.twitter.com/fEl40O8pK6
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) November 21, 2023
LaVine only managed to make the playoffs back in 2022, when the Chicago Bulls were eliminated in five games by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round. I wouldn’t necessarily blame him for not making the playoffs more often, however.
LaVine was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2014 and the team just wasn’t very good. They had some talented young players like Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, but the Timberwolves never had enough to make the playoffs.
In 2017, he was traded to the Bulls, who had next to no talent on the roster. Only superstars like LeBron James could have carried those teams to the postseason and LaVine obviously wasn’t and isn’t that level of player. When some help finally arrived in the form of DeMar DeRozan in 2021, they did start to win and got to the playoffs.
It’s been rough going after that, but I don’t think that’s down to LaVine not being a winning player. He’s a good second or third option on offense and can thrive in the right situation.
Perry does mention that he believes being the third option on a team is the role that LaVine is best suited for. It’d be the role that he’d get on teams like the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers, who are interested in him, as per the reports.
While having a third option on a five-year, $215 million deal might not be ideal, I don’t see it as an albatross of a contract by any means. Is it an overpay? Sure, but it’s not an awful deal.
Zach LaVine Does Not Want To Go To The Knicks
Based on Perry’s comments, it’d be safe to say the Knicks wouldn’t have gone after LaVine had he still been the GM. His departure could have potentially opened the door to a move, but LaVine does not want to go to the Knicks.
LaVine is represented by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, who has had his issues with Knicks president Leon Rose. Rose previously worked for CAA and has seemingly prioritized signing their clients ever since he became the president.
The Knicks wouldn’t have been a great fit regardless for LaVine. He and Jalen Brunson in the same backcourt would generate a lot of issues on the defensive end, and head coach Tom Thibodeau would have never been a fan of that.
Zach LaVine’s List Of His Top Trade Destinations
So, if not the Knicks, then where does the star guard, who is averaging 21.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game this season, want to go? Well, LaVine’s list of his top trade destinations was revealed recently and it’s actually quite a long one.
The Heat, Lakers, and Philadelphia 76ers have registered an interest in him and he’s open to moving to those teams as well. He is willing to go to contending teams like the Sacramento Kings too, and LaVine is also intrigued by the prospect of playing alongside Victor Wembanyama.
Of all of the teams that might be in the mix, the 76ers are probably the ones who have the urgency and the assets to pull this off. They have held on to the draft capital they acquired from the James Harden trade and if they are to make some noise in the playoffs this season, then they need the firepower that LaVine would provide.
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