NY Knicks: Three RJ Barrett Trades To Land A Star

NY Knicks trade RJ Barrett and other pieces for De’Aaron Fox

This one is more out of left field.

Fox signed a big extension with the Kings worth $163m in November 2020, so I know what you’re thinking… why would he want to leave the Kings, and why would they want to trade him?

To start with, he plays for Sacramento, who much like the Timberwolves are a perennially bad team that struggles to build a competitive basketball squad. The Kings currently hold the record for the longest playoff drought in the league, having last made the post-season in 2006.

Does Fox have faith that the Kings will be able to overcome this drought?

If this season is anything to go by, the signs are worrying. Sacramento has a current record of 14-22 which is good for 13th in the Western Conference. They’re the league’s worst defensive team and are headed towards another lottery selection in the upcoming draft.

Additionally, the Kings have a lot of cap space tied up in the likes of Buddy Hield ($86m over 4 years) and Harrison Barnes ($60.8m over 3 years). I just don’t see how they are going to reconstruct that roster into a playoff-caliber team anytime soon. Fox’s patience may wear thin…

So, why would either team do the trade?

Knicks:

• Fox is a 23-year-old young star on the rise and he would become the point guard of the future for the team, a position the Knicks have long been seeking to fill.
• Given Fox’s age and contract status, a trade will likely come at a significant cost. RJ Barrett would be the centerpiece of any deal alongside Mitchell Robinson and future draft capital.
• Much like the Towns trade, New York would maintain cap space to add talent to surround the pairing of Randle and Fox.
• Oh and one more thing – Fox is a Kentucky alum, and we know how much the Knicks love their Kentucky guys.

Kings:

• It’s hard to envisage the Kings trading their recently re-signed young star, but again, as we’ve seen with numerous trades, the power is ultimately with the players.
• I’m not saying I expect Fox to ask out of Sacramento, but honestly, it’s not an unfathomable thought, especially if the Kings continue on their path of eternal mediocrity.
• In this scenario, the loss of Fox is somewhat softened by rookie point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who looks to be a very solid player for a long time. Additionally, the Kings add more young rising stars in RJ Barrett and defensive center Mitchell Robinson, which will only help to sure up their awful defense. The Kings also get multiple draft selections to add a plethora of young talent to the roster.