New York Knicks Receive: G De’Aaron Fox, F/C Marvin Bagley III, C Tristan Thompson
Sacramento Kings Receive: F Julius Randle, G Evan Fournier, G Kemba Walker, 2022 Second-Round Pick, 2023 First-Round Pick (via DAL)
At the beginning of the season, there were some big-name players that people thought could be on the move. Ben Simmons topped that list, with Bradley Beal and Zach LaVine being possibilities as well given their contract situations.
No one could have guessed that the New York Knicks and Sacramento Kings could have some interest in moving on from their best players in Julius Randle and De’Aaron Fox. Both are coming off of career seasons, but the 2021-22 season hasn’t been kind to either of them.
So, in this scenario, they swap spots and hope to get things back on track, rekindling some of the success they had just a year ago. For the Knicks, they are finally addressing their most glaring need for a point guard.
Fox is the most talented player they have had at the position since Stephon Marbury. He has some flaws, specifically defensively, but finally having a young point guard to build around is great.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Sources: Knicks Showing Heavy Trade Interest In De’Aaron Fox
Joining Fox in the Big Apple are Marvin Bagley III and Tristan Thompson. Both are used to help match salaries and are on expiring deals, another bonus for the Knicks who spent a lot of money in free agency in 2021.
Heading to the west coast with Randle are Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier. There was hope that Walker would help solve New York’s point guard woes with Derrick Rose but has fallen short of expectations. Fournier’s signing was questioned by numerous people, but he has shown he can be a great offensive contributor. He has been among the best 3-point shooters in the league in 2022.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Sources: Knicks Showing Heavy Trade Interest In De’Aaron Fox
The Kings are also getting two draft picks from New York. The Knicks are sending their own 2022 second-rounder along with a 2023 first-rounder via the Dallas Mavericks. This deal can be adjusted to include Alec Burks instead of Fournier, also keeping Thompson in Sacramento. New York would remove this year’s second-round pick in the case as well.
How does this deal impact both teams? Let’s take a look at it from each of their perspectives, starting with the Knicks.
