New York Knicks Receive: G/F Tim Hardaway Jr., C Boban Marjanovic, 2025 First-Round Pick (DAL), 2027 First-Round Pick (DAL)

Dallas Mavericks receive: F Julius Randle

Something about Boban in New York feels right. The league’s biggest man in America’s biggest city. The reality TV show practically writes itself.

Of course, that’s not the Knicks’ motivation here. Reuniting with Hardaway Jr. is cute, but they’re mostly in this for the draft picks. This may be the best return they could hope for in exchange for Randle.

Recouping value on his contract would be a win, period. Getting two first-rounders would be a blessing. Meanwhile, Hardaway Jr’s contract only runs a year less than Randle’s, but it’s also about $7 million a year cheaper. This deal benefits their books as well.

It may not benefit their on-court product. At least, not immediately. The Knicks are trading a star, albeit a flawed one, without receiving one here. They should be worse in 2022-23.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: This Knicks-Mavericks Trade Features Julius Randle To Dallas

If bottoming out for lottery odds doesn’t appeal to them, they might want to consider the next trade.