New York Knicks Receive: G Russell Westbrook, 2027 First-Round Pick
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Julius Randle, F Evan Fournier
This deal accomplishes some similar goals for the New York Knicks as the last one. It offers cap relief in the near future in addition to the same first-round pick. Of course, it also lands them Russell Westbrook.
While the mercurial point guard’s style of play has come under attack recently, it might appeal to the Knicks. After all, Madison Square Garden is big business. Westbrook may or may not impact winning, but his ability to entertain is undeniable.
Plus, these Knicks may be in a good position to accommodate his game. Without a clear alpha on the roster, Russ can assume the role he was born to play. He’ll rack up triple-doubles because the Knicks need his production.
Russ, like anybody, just wants to be needed. If the Knicks fall short of the playoffs under his guise, they’ll have a lottery pick to show for it. With his contract expiring after this season, he’ll have been a short-term problem for a team that probably needed to retool anyway.
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This is a no-brainer for the Los Angeles Lakers. They upgrade their roster at the expense of a first-round pick. With LeBron James nearing retirement, the present has to be the priority for this organization. There is certainly a risk that Julius Randle won’t be a clean fit with this roster. If he’s a worse fit than Westbrook, that would truly shock the world.
