Could The Knicks PAY The Bulls To Take Another Young Player?! 👀🐂

Could the New York Knicks actually PAY the Chicago Bulls to take another young player off their hands?

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down a proposed trade opportunity involving Tyler Kolek and Pacôme Dadiet as New York operates close to the second apron and potentially looks to open another roster spot.

Important distinction: this is a trade concept from Knicks On SI — not a report that Chicago and New York are actively negotiating.

But the idea is fascinating.

Chicago still has an open roster spot, financial flexibility, and a direct developmental connection to both players through new director of player development Jordan Brink, who previously worked with Kolek and Dadiet in New York.

Kolek may be the more immediately useful target. He gives Chicago another pass-first organizer, insurance behind Josh Giddey and Tre Jones, and a potentially intriguing contrast to the scoring-oriented Rob Dillingham.

Dadiet is the bigger developmental gamble. He remains only 21 and has intriguing size at 6-foot-9, but Chicago already has a crowded developmental wing group featuring Dailyn Swain, Noa Essengue, Leonard Miller, Patrick Williams, Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis.

If the Knicks want Chicago to take Dadiet, should New York have to attach draft compensation?

Then Haize breaks down why the Bulls’ backup-center competition shouldn’t simply be framed as Jalen Smith vs Zach Collins.

Smith brings pick-and-pop shooting, pace and offensive rebounding. Collins brings strength, screening, post play and connective passing. Behind starter Nic Claxton, those two could provide Tiago Splitter with dramatically different options depending on the matchup.

And yes — they can absolutely push one another for minutes.

Finally, the Bulls want to play FAST next season.