While the rest of the NBA is in a holding pattern waiting for the Giannis Antetokounmpo domino to fall, it appears the New York Knicks are performing due diligence along the margins and scouring the trade market elsewhere.
The latest name linked? Chicago Bulls’ guard Ayo Dosunmu, with both Stefan Bondy of the New York Post and James Edwards III of The Athletic mentioning him as a potential Big Apple trade target.
With three days remaining until the league’s annual mid-season trade deadline, one source confirmed to Knicks X-Factor that the Knicks and Bulls have indeed discussed the frameworks of a trade for fifth-year guard Ayo Dosunmu.
Chicago is said to be seeking draft capital in exchange for the former second-round pick, who’s averaging 15 points, 3.5 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game.
Dosunmu fills a lot of needs for New York; he provides ball-handling and scoring off the bench while shooting the three-ball at a career-best 45% clip this season.
And of course, his $7.5 million salary lines up almost perfectly with a Knicks package of Guerschon Yabusele and Pacรดme Dadiet. Those two players are thought to headline any efforts by Leon Rose and company to upgrade the roster this week.
Sources say varying packages, including a first-round pick swap or multiple second-round picks were discussed this week.
A first-round swap is a high price to ask for a player that’s free agency bound. Which is exactly why one source lamented the idea of the Bulls being truly motivated to part ways with Dosunmu by the deadline: “I don’t think they want to move him.”
It’s equally possible that Chicago is placing a bounty on their homegrown draft pick, in an effort to price out the market, or get an idea of interested teams for a potential sign-and-trade deal come the offseason.
Even still, the Bulls haven’t been known for their savvy on the free agent and trade markets under current executive Artลซras Karniลกovas. Never say never with a team as unpredictable as the club in Windy City.
This story will be updated.
