Hypothetical Trade Package No. 2
New York Knicks Receive: G Russell Westbrook, 2025 First-Round Pick
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Julius Randle, F Evan Fournier, F Kevin Knox II
Out of the two packages, this is the less likely one to occur. However, it is an interesting scenario to discuss. The New York Knicks are hitting the reset button on their two biggest contracts handed out this offseason to Julius Randle and Evan Fournier.
The Lakers would jump at the chance to add Julius Randle, an All-Star and All-NBA performer during the 2020-21 season. He hasn’t performed at as high of a level this season and has drawn the ire of some fans for his lackadaisical effort defensively.
While he did it last season, Randle looks better cut out to be a second or third option, which he would be on the Lakers behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Fournier is an excellent fit as a shooter that can carry the offense for spurs whenever the top options are resting.
But, to get that amount of talent back for Westbrook, the Lakers need to compensate the Knicks and it would come in the form of a future first-round pick. New York could use that to improve a trade package for another All-Star, as they are keeping virtually all of their assets in this deal.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: One Trade For Struggling Hopeful Title Contenders To Consider
The Knicks would be banking on Westbrook’s tenacious style of play would be enough to light a fire under his teammates and get the team squarely back in the playoff picture. He has his flaws, but energy and effort are not among them.
This trade would also enable Obi Toppin to be unleashed, something plenty of Knicks fans would love to see. Quentin Grimes could step into the starting shooting guard role to help compensate for Westbrook’s defense.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: One Trade For Struggling Hopeful Title Contenders To Consider
Normally trading two rotation players for one isn’t ideal, but in this case, it is one that the Knicks could benefit from. It also helps clear their future salary cap, making them big players in free agency in 2023 as they could have tens of millions of dollars in cap space given how they have structured recent contracts.
