NY Knicks: 4 difficult offseason realities fans must brace for
![NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 15: Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks reacts against the Washington Wizards during a preseason game at Madison Square Garden on October 15, 2021 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 15: Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks reacts against the Washington Wizards during a preseason game at Madison Square Garden on October 15, 2021 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/10e20a57a7e29e37caaec8e3161089e4aeaa0c361520402c31c846b100c8a13f.jpg)
2: Trading Julius Randle or RJ Barrett for a point guard
In case you’ve been kept in the dark for the past 20 years, New York needs a point guard. The team’s been linked to a few names already, although that’s nothing new for the Knicks. It’s a vicious cycle. Fans get their hopes up about landing a big-time star and as time passes, it doesn’t happen.
New York has a shot at choosing a lottery pick in the 2022 draft. To be honest, the draft class isn’t looking good from the point guard angle. Aside from Purdue’s Jaden Ivey, who will likely be off the board when the Knicks make their pick, there aren’t any other names that stick out.
Are the New York Knicks willing to trade Julius Randle or RJ Barrett?
There’s a possibility that New York will sign a point guard in free agency, but if that doesn’t happen, the Knicks could be willing to offer up Randle or Barrett in a trade.
Let me be clear – that isn’t something that I want to happen. Even more so, I think that it’d be especially absurd for New York to trade the 21-year-old that it should be building its future around.
If the Knicks were to trade for a point guard, it’s looking like Donovan Mitchell would be the most likely option. However, he signed a five-year extension with Utah in Nov. of 2020 and if he were to request a trade during the offseason, New York would have to offer up a lot in return. The Knicks shouldn’t go out on that ledge.
Regardless, the front office needs to address the team’s point guard deficiency. It’d be shocking if New York traded Barrett or Randle while doing so, but at the end of the day, the Knicks are the Knicks.