The New York Knicks are now considered to be a playoff team.
However, their roster is in a more precarious position than it seems on the surface. Their offseason was largely successful. Indeed, the front office seemingly achieving every objective except re-signing Isaiah Hartenstein. Yet, their moves have turned Julius Randle into a square peg trying to fit into a round hole.
Knicks’ Julius Randle’s Trade Value Assessed Amid Hectic Offseason
The Knicks’ projected starting lineup features Randle, team captain Jalen Brunson, then two 3-and-D specialists in Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby. From there, New York has several options.
They can start Mitchell Robinson, an upper echelon rim-protector, at center. If they don’t go that route, Josh Hart’s versatility and endurance could push him into a starting role. There’s also the possibility that the Knicks turn to Donte DiVincenzo, whose play last season led to him replacing Quentin Grimes in the first unit.
Whatever the case, Randle’s role will be far different than he’s used to.
If he has to start at center, it’ll be just the second time in his 10-year career. Unfortunately for New York, he’s 6-foot-8 and a so-so defender. If he starts at power forward, Bridges and Hart could squeeze his PT. Yet, Randle’s played at least 35 minutes per game over the past four seasons.
Ultimately, the situation lends itself to the possibility that Randle requests a trade. With he and the Knicks slow to reach a contract extension agreement, there’s an ever higher chance. However, when The Athletic’s Fred Katz asked “someone who works in a rival team’s front office” what Randle’s trade value was, he was told that it’s “neutral, at best.”
As a result, a trade involving Randle may be slow to materialize, if it happens at all.
Are There Any Trades That Make Sense?
The lukewarm interest in Randle isn’t surprising.
The former top-10 pick is nearing the end of his theoretical prime as he’ll turn 30 years old shortly into the season. He’s coming off a shoulder injury that limited him to 46 games last season. He’s not reliable as a 3-point threat or as a defender. In addition, he makes $59.9 million over the next two seasons, which doesn’t help in the increasingly cap-conscious NBA.
The team that traded for Randle would have to view him as the missing piece. With that being said, multiple contenders could take that stance. The Los Angeles Lakers are looking for a player that can get them over the hump. The Los Angeles Clippers have yet to replace Paul George. A trade for Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen could help them both.
The best trade for the Knicks and Randle could lead him back to Los Angeles.
If the Lakers offer New York a package that includes Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt, both teams could solve their problems. L.A. gets their third star, with Randle arguably giving them the league’s best frontcourt. The Knicks get a Randle replacement in Hachimura and a Hartenstein replacement in Vanderbilt. Fortunately for New York, both Hachimura and Vanderbilt are willing to accept bench roles, limiting the chances that egos will clash despite their depth.
