The New York Knicks might not have gotten three-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t make a trade between now and the start of the 2022-23 season. In fact, there’s a trade that could be made that would please the majority of the fanbase.
Julius Randle’s 2020-21 season resulted in his first All-Star appearance and the Most Improved Player award, but his 2021-22 season ended up being a far cry from the year before. Even though the forward averaged 20.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, his struggles were evident.
The Knicks signed point guard Jalen Brunson in free agency, which means that there are now three players in New York’s starting lineup that like to have the ball in their hands (Brunson, Randle, and RJ Barrett). With Randle being a ball-dominant player, he’s going to have to accept an off-ball role. That could happen, but knowing Randle, it may not work out.
Will the Knicks trade Julius Randle before the start of the 2022-23 season?
There was speculation about New York trading Randle if a Donovan Mitchell trade took place, as Mitchell is another player that likes to have the ball in his hands. Even though Mitchell was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, there’s still been talk about a Randle trade happening.
According to Knick Film School’s Jonathan Macri, “there will be every effort made within reason to get rid of Julius Randle before the season starts.”
“a little something I just heard… I strongly believe that there will be every effort made within reason to get rid of Julius Randle before the season starts. And I will just say that.”
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) September 1, 2022
— @JCMacriNBA on @KnickFilmSkool after the Donovan Mitchell trade to Cleveland pic.twitter.com/6hdOrUmAIq
The keywords are “within reason.” Obviously, there’s no guarantee that the Knicks are going to trade Randle, but it seems as if it’s a possibility, and it’s certainly a topic that’s worth exploring as it would allow Obi Toppin to slide into the starting lineup.
With that being said, here are two trades that the Knicks should think about if they’re looking to part ways with Julius Randle.
2: A trade that would send Julius Randle to the Hornets
The only move that the Charlotte Hornets have made thus far during the offseason was re-signing Cody Martin to a four-year, $32 million deal.
In June, Miles Bridges was arrested in Los Angeles on a felony domestic violence warrant. He’s a restricted free agent and his future with Charlotte is unclear. The honest truth is that he shouldn’t play in another NBA game again. With the Hornets potentially moving forward without Bridges, they could have an interest in Julius Randle.
Gordon Hayward signed a four-year, $120 million deal with Charlotte in Nov. 2020, so he has two guaranteed years left on his contract before he’ll become an unrestricted free agent in 2024. His name has been in the middle of a few trade rumors, so if the Knicks and Hornets were to make a trade involving Hayward and Randle, it could end up looking something like this:
New York would have to include a minimum salary in this deal to make it work as the the team would be over $200,000 short of matching salary.
The Knicks receiving Gordon Hayward wouldn’t be the best option if they’re looking to trade Randle, but it’d give New York a shooter in Hayward, although his injury history is concerning. It might be a move that’d end up being worthwhile, though, if Hayward were able to stay healthy and act as a shooter off the bench.
However, there’s another more likely trade option for Julius Randle…
1: A trade that would send Julius Randle back to the Lakers
If Julius Randle does get traded, it seems like it’ll be back to where he was drafted in 2014. The Jazz trading Donovan Mitchell to the Cavaliers not only affected the Knicks but the Los Angeles Lakers as well because it was rumored that a three-team deal could take place. As things currently stand, Russell Westbrook is still on LA’s roster.
Before Knicks fans start coming after me with pitchforks, the idea behind this trade wouldn’t be to keep Westbrook in New York. It’d be a way for the Knicks to move on from Randle (if that’s what they desire) and to receive some draft compensation in the process.
The only way that New York should be willing to get Westbrook in a trade from Los Angeles is if the Lakers include both of their first-round picks. The Lakers wouldn’t only be getting Randle in this scenario, but also Evan Fournier. With the Knicks not trading for Donovan Mitchell, that means that Quentin Grimes should be the team’s starting shooting guard in place of Fournier, which could motivate the front office to find a new team for the Frenchman.
New York would be free from both Randle and Fournier’s contracts, would add two first-round picks to their treasure chest, and would buyout Westbrook. As mentioned before, this move would give Toppin the minutes that he deserves, which is something that fans have been calling for.
If the Knicks are prepared to move on from Julius Randle, the front office could consider these two trades. Or if Randle isn’t traded before Oct. 19 and he doesn’t perform as expected, New York may then make the decision to move on from him during the season.
Regardless, if the Knicks are serious about trading Randle, they need to carefully consider their options, but fans can put their trust in the front office to do what makes the most sense for the future of the organization.
3 ripple effects of Knicks not trading for Donovan Mitchell
After weeks of trade rumors, Donovan Mitchell is headed to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and here's how that affects the New York Knicks.