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Knicks Trade Rumors: Latest buzz from around the NBA as of Dec. 27

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 13: Kent Bazemore #24 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts during the first half of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on November 13, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 13: Kent Bazemore #24 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts during the first half of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on November 13, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 22: Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors on December 22, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 22: Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors on December 22, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

How It Impacts The Knicks

The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers discussed a swap that would send one 23-year-old to Dallas and another 23-year-old to Los Angeles. That may not be the most in-depth analysis you’ve ever read, but it’s the critical information here.

Dallas and Los Angeles both seem to be thinking long-term, which means the New York Knicks must do the same in this instance.

By adding Randle to the roster, the Knicks would complement Porzingis’ finesse game with a bully ball big who excels on the defensive end of the floor. Randle is flashing his versatility in 2017-18, playing both interior positions and defending at the highest level of his career thus far.

Also a skilled ball-handler and passer, Randle could be groomed to play a Draymond Green or Al Horford type of role as a versatile defender and capable shot creator.

Noel has become one of the more enigmatic figures in the NBA, but his upside is revered. He looks the part of a David Robinson type of defender in the sense that he has the length, explosiveness, and agility to defend multiple positions, protect the rim, and disrupt the pick and roll.

Due to the seemingly strained relationship between he and the Mavericks, however, it may behoove the Knicks to wait until he becomes a free agent in 2018.

The surplus of bigs on the roster simplifies that decision by a significant measure.

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