Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Julius Randle, G Evan Fournier
New York Knicks Receive: G Russell Westbrook, 2027 First-Round Pick
Let’s get crazy. The marriage between Russell Westbrook and the Los Angeles Lakers is heading towards divorce. The only remaining question is who will take Russ’s exorbitant contract. Enter the New York Knicks.
This is not a move we’d necessarily advocate for. It just feels on-brand for the Knicks as an organization. Russell Westbrook will keep butts in Madison Square Garden, whether they’re cheering or booing.
Plus, there are other incentives in this package for the New York Knicks compared to the others we’ve suggested.
The Knicks don’t have to part with draft capital in this deal: they’ll be receiving a first-round pick. They’ll also be parting with Julius Randle rather than trying to work with him. That would be a more straightforward solution for dealing with a partnership that may have run its course.
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Russell Westbrook only has a year remaining on his contract. If the New York Knicks are successful with him at the helm, they can negotiate a new (and inevitably more minor) contract in the offseason. If not, this deal triggers something they may have needed: a rebuild.
