NY Knicks: Reacting to Julius Randle-Russell Westbrook trade idea

Stop typing your comment. Take your fingers off your keyboard. Please be patient with me so we can put this to rest. First thing’s first, I’m not endorsing the New York Knicks starting Russell Westbrook as their point guard next season. Nor am I saying that he’s a better trade asset than Julius Randle.

Now since that’s out of the way, I can say that it makes sense that a Westbrook for Randle swap is being proposed everywhere you look.  Like here, here, and here, to name a few places.

The proposals are different variations of the same structure. Randle + stuff for Westbrook + pick(s).

(Sorry.)

I feel obligated to write another reminder that New York trading for Westbrook doesn’t mean that the Knicks would start him. So with all of that being said, what deal (if any) would make sense for New York?

Westbrook has only one year left on his contract and it’s a $47 million player option. That could be more appealing for the Knicks versus Randle’s four-year, $117 million extension that’s yet to kick in.

Does a Julius Randle-Russell Westbrook trade make sense for the New York Knicks?

I’ve written that Randle’s extension is more or less fair value. He’ll be the 48th-highest-paid player in the league next year. However, I can understand why Westbrook’s gargantuan expiring contract could be enticing, as it could open up some cap room down the line and clear New York’s books.

To make salaries work, the Knicks would have to throw in a player or two while sending Randle back to Los Angeles. Evan Fournier or Derrick Rose alone would work, but New York should want to hold onto the two of them.

Like Randle, Fournier’s been more or less playing up to his value, and it’s safe to start calling Rose an honorary coach at this point. He isn’t going anywhere.

Or they could send a duo made up of Kemba Walker and Nerlens Noel, or maybe even Alec Burks and Cam Reddish. Despite Reddish’s inconsistent playing time, the team gave up a first-rounder for him. While the Lakers worked on a deal for him at the deadline, it seems like Reddish’s trade value consists of a price that’s too high to pay, so he’ll likely be staying put.

And for better or for worse, Tom Thibodeau loves Burks. We’ll find out this offseason if the front office feels the same. He isn’t a starting point guard, but he’s a great sixth man and could contribute to any NBA roster.

The Lakers would love to have Burks, but if the Knicks decide to deal him he’ll be more than a throw-in. That leaves two obvious candidates…

Walker, who went home after the All-Star break to “prepare for next season”, had a short-lived tenure in New York. His signing is the greatest failure of the Knicks’ previous offseason and a disappointment for all fans.

He’s already essentially off the team, so Walker’s a safe bet to be included in any deal. A 32-year-old oft-injured point guard, he’ll fit right in with the Lakers!

Then there’s Noel. The (also oft-injured) center looks easily replaceable by rookie Jericho Sims, who recently recorded his first double-double in his third career start.

Los Angeles has terribly missed its defensive identity from its 2019-20 championship season. Noel could help bring it back alongside Anthony Davis (in the frontcourt and the injury report).

In addition to Randle, the Knicks would be parting ways with two players who can barely stay on the court. And even when they’re healthy, they’re on the fringe of New York’s rotation. So, what would the Knicks get in return? Let’s start with the picks.

Los Angeles will be able to trade its first-round picks in 2027 and/or 2029. While that’s far off, who knows how good these picks will be down the line. Those picks could also serve as more ammunition in a trade for a potential star (join us in the Donovan Mitchell prayer circle).

Westbrook aside, I find it hard not to consider any Randle trade that nets an unprotected first-round pick a success. Could they get both tradable picks? One unprotected and one swap?

The Lakers are in shambles. Los Angeles may be willing to mortgage its future to salvage one last run with LeBron James.

Randle isn’t a great fit alongside James and Davis, but he really might be the best that they can do during the upcoming offseason.

And how would Westbrook fit in New York? While the team still needs another point guard, rest assured, he’d most likely be bought out.

The Knicks would be admitting defeat on the Randle deal and would essentially be paying however much a buyout would cost for a first-round pick, or two picks five years from now.

Do the Knicks go in on that deal? Barring a complete 180, they won’t. Marc Stein reported that New York hasn’t been receptive to Westbrook trade talks. Should that be reconsidered? While I’m more receptive to it than most Knicks fans, probably not.

Adding a wrinkle to any conversations, Stein also reported that the Hornets are a team that could be interested in Westbrook. That package would likely center around Gordon Hayward and one Twitter user suggested that New York should get involved:

The front office would likely be more interested in this deal, as we know Thibodeau wanted the Knicks to acquire Hayward a couple of years ago.

Despite his injury concerns, Hayward’s an easy player to fit in any lineup. It’d make more sense to integrate him into an offense over the iso-heavy Randle.

Would New York do this deal? Maybe. Should they? Depending on the picks involved, I’d say yes.

Finding a new home for Randle is unfortunately and arguably the No. 1 priority for the Knicks this summer. As much as the Lakers (and Randle) may want this to happen, I’d be shocked if Los Angeles ends up being the forward’s next destination.

NY Knicks: What a possible Julius Randle trade could mean for team’s future stars

As rumors surround Julius Randle and the New York Knicks' future together, it's time to discuss the problem the franchise has of retaining star talent.