New York Knicks Receive: G Russell Westbrook, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Julius Randle, G Derrick Rose
When the New York Knicks inked Julius Randle to a 4-year deal worth $26.1 million annually, it looked like a steal. Now, they may be having buyer’s remorse.
That’s what happens when your three-point percentage plummets roughly from “elite” to “god awful”. That’s exactly what happened to Randle in 2021-22.
With this deal, the Knicks accomplish the same goals as the Hornets, albeit for different reasons. They’re also looking at cleaning up their books here, only they don’t need to as much as they want to. Outside of RJ Barrett, they don’t have incumbent players who will soon be due for raises.
For the Knicks, clearing cap space is about the players they don’t have. This trade improves their flexibility to make a splash in free agency sooner than later.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 Trade Packages To Send Bradley Beal To Los Angeles Lakers
Meanwhile, the Lakers get a floor-spacing point guard who should be a perfect fit alongside LeBron James. If Randle can boost his three-point accuracy back to its 2020-21 levels, this trade should make the Lakers a better team.
