New York Knicks Receive: F/C Anthony Davis
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Julius Randle, G Derrick Rose, 2023 unprotected first-round pick via NYK, 2023 unprotected first-round pick via DAL, 2025 first-round pick via NYK
The New York Knicks have been thirsting for a star since Carmelo Anthony left town. After putting together a feisty young team last year, the Knicks took a significant step backward in 2021-22, as did their star Julius Randle. Now, New York needs to find a way out of Randle’s albatross contract.
This trade lands the Knicks their greatest talent since Melo and their best big since Patrick Ewing. Anthony Davis is still young enough to grow alongside the Knicks’ young core, but also great enough to lead them to a return to the playoffs. RJ Barrett would have a legitimate two-way star to speed up his development.
Here, the Lakers are taking a risk on two question marks from the Knicks in Julius Randle and Derrick Rose. After a spectacular campaign in 2020-21 that saw him making the All-NBA Second Team, Randle’s offensive efficiency and defensive effort plummeted after he signed a four-year, $117 million extension.
The Los Angeles Lakers would be betting that Randle just had a sour year for the Knicks and needs a change of scenery, rather than believing that he became complacent after inking a deal for generational money.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Why Los Angeles Lakers Should Explore Anthony Davis Trade
Derrick Rose has had a career renaissance since the last time he played with LeBron James in 2017. Since getting traded from that disaster of a Cleveland Cavaliers squad, he’s averaged 16.2 points and 4.6 assists while slashing 48/36/87.
The Lakers would be banking that Rose can stay healthy and effective after his latest ankle injury and subsequent surgery. If so, Rose would bring a great balance to the Lakers’ backcourt and could slide Westbrook into a more suitable role as an off-ball play finisher.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Why Los Angeles Lakers Should Explore Anthony Davis Trade
As insurance for the two talented but unreliable pieces they’ll be trading for, the Lakers add three first-rounders that would instantly restock their war chest for future deals. If this trade with the Knicks happens, Davis will have to pray that Tom Thibodeau is fired, because Thib’s minutes allocation might mean the end of Davis’s career.
