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NY Knicks: 3 teams that could trade for Julius Randle

By Brad Dressler

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MARCH 27: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks looks on against the Detroit Pistons during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena on March 27, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MARCH 27: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks looks on against the Detroit Pistons during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena on March 27, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks, Julius Randle
Julius Randle, New York Knicks. (Photo by Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports) /

3: The Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Knicks…err…I mean Mavericks seem like a very realistic landing spot for Randle for a multitude of reasons.

Firstly, he’s from Dallas. I doubt there’s anywhere on the planet he’d rather play much more than his hometown. He’d also be teaming back up with two of his buddies from last season, Reggie Bullock and Theo Pinson, along with a boatload of other former Knicks from before Randle’s time.

The Mavericks are clearly re-tooling their roster to fit better around Luka Doncic as evidenced by their somewhat shocking mid-season trade of another former Knick, Kristaps Porzingis. Not only is there a hole at the power forward spot, but today’s version of Randle is still a better player than Porzingis.

I’ve been saying, even since last season, that as good as Randle is, he’s got a bit of an ego. I believe that he needs to be paired with another player that’s undoubtedly and unquestionably better than he is in order for him to take a backseat and accept a lesser role.

Playing him alongside arguably one of the top-five players in the league in Doncic would accomplish just that. With Doncic getting all of the defense’s attention, it’d free up Randle to do a lot of things that he couldn’t in New York.

For example, what happened against Atlanta in the playoffs last year would never happen if Doncic was also on the court. The defense would simply not be able to afford to key in on Randle whenever he got the ball in the paint.

Dallas makes sense as a trade partner as well because they have something the Knicks want, Jalen Brunson. It’ll be interesting to see if there are any rumors during the offseason about the two teams discussing a trade and if either of those two names are involved.

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