Could Knicks scouting Mavericks-Jazz game foreshadow Julius Randle trade destinations?
The New York Knicks may be out of the playoffs, but that doesn’t mean that they also can’t enjoy live postseason basketball action. Julius Randle, William Wesley, and Allan Houston were the three most notable names that were in Dallas on Saturday to watch the Mavericks-Jazz in Game 1.
It’s not too big of a surprise that Randle was there, considering that it’s his hometown and that a number of his former Knicks teammates play for Dallas. He wasn’t in a suite away from the crowd but instead sitting courtside beside Wesley.
Did New York have a presence there to scout Donovan Mitchell? Or Jalen Brunson? This is going to be a question that Knicks fans don’t like, but what if Randle being there means that New York is open to an Obi Toppin trade?
There’s an endless amount of questions that can be asked about the Knicks being present to watch Dallas and Utah.
There’s a strong Knicks contingent — including William Wesley and Allan Houston — in Dallas to scout Game 1 of the Jazz-Mavericks series.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 16, 2022
The New York Knicks were present in Dallas on Saturday for the Mavericks-Jazz game.
The Randle trade rumors have been flying around since midway through the regular season, and although he said that he wanted to remain in New York a couple of weeks ago, there’s still been reason to believe that he could leave.
It says a lot that he was sitting beside Wesley, who’s ironically made it known that he isn’t the biggest fan of Tom Thibodeau. It seems as if Wesley and Thibodeau can agree on the fact that Randle is part of the Knicks’ future. Why else would New York put on a united front with Randle?
Julius Randle is here courtside watching Game 1 between Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz. pic.twitter.com/p34SCrsV17
— Landon Thomas (@sixfivelando) April 16, 2022
This is going to require me going out onto the very end of a limb, but what if Randle was there because the Knicks are willing to work with him to find a new team? That’d involve him having gone to the front office and expressing his desire for a trade. That’s the definition of an extreme hypothetical situation, but it’s a thought.
The business trip could’ve been for the sole purpose of scouting either Mitchell or Brunson. Mitchell won’t be an unrestricted free agent like Brunson will be this summer, but there’s been reason to believe that if the Jazz are unsuccessful in the playoffs, the New York native could look for a way out.
The Knicks could (and should) be preparing themselves for that to happen. Even if that were to happen and New York doesn’t land Mitchell, it’s an idea that should still be explored. He scored a game-high 32 points (10-of-29), along with six rebounds and six assists in 42 minutes.
As mentioned, Brunson will become an UFA come July 1. The point guard scored a team-high 24 points (9-of-24) with seven rebounds and five assists in 41 minutes. The Mavericks lost 99-93, but that was without injured star Luka Doncic.
If the team doesn’t re-sign Brunson, he’ll be looking for a new home in a few short months.
Dallas and Utah will be back in action on Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET for the second game of the series. Will the Knicks be in attendance again?
