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One crazy Russell Westbrook-Julius Randle trade that actually makes sense

By Allen Settle

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 23: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after he was fouled by Quentin Grimes of the New York Knicks in the first half at Madison Square Garden on November 23, 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 Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 23: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after he was fouled by Quentin Grimes of the New York Knicks in the first half at Madison Square Garden on November 23, 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 Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Julius Randle, Evan Fournier, New York Knicks. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Julius Randle, Evan Fournier, New York Knicks. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

#2: The Knicks send Julius Randle and other bad contracts to the Lakers

So what would this trade look like? It’s difficult to find a trade in which any team can match salaries for a ballooned contract like Westbrook’s. However, New York would be able to make such a move. Here’s my suggestion, without any draft capital changing hands (more on that critical component later).

There is another scenario in which Alec Burks is swapped out for Kemba Walker. But I may prefer Walker as a separate trade asset for the Knicks.

#3: How would a Russell Westbrook buyout affect the Knicks’ salary cap?

This is the key question. And it carries the biggest risk for the Knicks. The former league MVP is owed a massive $47,063,478 during the 2022-2023 NBA season before becoming an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year.

As the Lakers know well, this is a potentially crushing burden. So how would this affect the Knicks’ roster?

New York would be forced to consider the waive-and-stretch provision that would allow the club to buy out Westbrook’s contract by dividing the large lump sum into smaller annual increments.

The NBA’s rules on contract restructuring are complicated and nuanced, however, according to my research, such a move would cost the Knicks something in the market of $15 million against the cap in each of the next three seasons.

For context, a few recognizable players set to make somewhere close to $15 million next season include Duncan Robinson (MIA), Marcus Smart (BOS), Patrick Beverly (MIN), Derrick Rose (NYK), Kyle Kuzma (WAS), and Marcus Morris (LAC).

In essence, this move would cost New York the ability to add one veteran in this general tier for the next three years.

#4: What draft capital would change hands?

From a Knicks perspective, the salary implications are difficult to swallow. Why would Leon Rose and company consider taking on Westbrook’s albatross contract? They simply should not unless sufficient draft capital is being sent back to New York in return.

What would it take to make this move worth the Knicks’ trouble? I’ll suggest the following pick swap in addition to the aforementioned players:

To recap, this potential deal would net New York a valuable young asset in Horton-Tucker and two future first-round picks. Does this deal make sense for the Knicks? What about the Lakers? Let’s discuss!

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