Knicks-Bulls Zach Lavine Trade 'Never Got Close' -- Here's Why

(Photo : Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - Zach LaVine (#8) of the Chicago Bulls dribbles the ball against RJ Barrett (#9) of the New York Knicks in the second half at United Center on November 21, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. 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.

New York Knicks' search for its All-Star-level guy continues.

Big-time players like Kevin Durant, Paul George, and Donovan Mitchell were attached to the Knicks in the past season, but the team could not complete a deal for them.

According to The Athletic, Knicks president Leon Rose has to do a balancing act, so they cannot go all in for a star even if they have the assets to offer.

The team tried to do it again this summer. They tried to sign Zach Lavine away from the Chicago Bulls but again, to no avail.

"Other All-Stars have trickled in and out of the rumor mill over the years, including this summer," Fred Katz of The Athletic wrote.

"New York made contact with the Chicago Bulls about their shooting guard, Zach LaVine, but the asking price for the two-time All-Star was "giant," as one league source told The Athletic, which is exactly why LaVine remains in Chicago. The Knicks and Bulls, according to league sources, never got close."

Jalen Brunson's role in future trades

Jalen Brunson grew into a fringe All-Star last season and carried Knicks to a fourth-place finish in the Eastern Conference.

His rise is another thing the Knicks are looking into when looking for a new star player. The same report said the organization wants a player who will mesh well with the pitbull point guard.

"The Knicks ask one question about any prominent player they consider acquiring: Does he fit well with Brunson? If the answer is no, then he's not worth the massive return it'd take to acquire him," Katz wrote.