New York Knicks Receive: G Tim Hardaway Jr., F Dorian Finney-Smith, F Josh Green, 2027 First-Round Pick
Dallas Mavericks Receive: F Julius Randle, G Alec Burks
At first glance, this trade may not make sense for the New York Knicks compared to the last one. It appears as if they’re giving up a little more only to receive a little less.
First glances can be deceiving. The Knicks would favor this deal over the previous one for two reasons: they like cap relief, and they like Josh Green.
After all, they’ll have little use for Alec Burks in this scenario. Rebuilding teams have no reason to hang onto role-playing veterans.
They’re taking on two larger contracts in Hardaway Jr.’s and Finney-Smith’s. That’s the cost of doing business: they have no way to match salaries in moving Randle otherwise. Moving Burks’ pact lessens that financial burden to an extent.
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Meanwhile, the Knicks may be justified in favoring Green over a pick. At 21, he’s shaping up to be the type of role player they’ll want next to whichever franchise-caliber player they acquire next.
He’s improved his three-point accuracy from 16% as a rookie to the 36.5% he’s currently hitting as a sophomore. His 1.3 Defensive Box Plus/Minus (DBPM) reflects his potential as a high-end 3-and-D wing in the future.
That should suit the New York Knicks well. If they do move on from Randle, that’s exactly where their focus will lie.
