Julius Randle

The New York Knicks did a great job of slashing salary this offseason. Kemba Walker, Nerlens Noel and Alec Burks were all traded, costing the team six second-round picks altogether. But, in the process, they picked up three future first-round picks as well.

New York was dead set on adding a point guard in free agency and was able to land their No. 1 target in Jalen Brunson as a result of the salary that was opened up. Some of that space was also used to bring in Isaiah Hartenstein, who brings a different dimension to their center position.

All in all, the Knicks are in a better spot right now than they were heading into the NBA Draft last week. While there is still some work to do for the team to become contenders, they are on the right track. To continue on that path, finding a trade partner for Julius Randle could be next on the to-do list.

Randle’s name has popped up on the trade block and it does make some sense. The Knicks have too many players that need rotation minutes right now and something has to give. Unless they can find a taker for the combination of Evan Fournier and Cam Reddish, Julius Randle is the most logical trade candidate.

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Julius Randle’s value is a little low right now, as he regressed during the 2021-22 season after a 2020-21 season in which he made the All-Star team and was named to the All-NBA Second Team. So, there is certainly some talent there for a team to work with and his contract isn’t an albatross by any means.

Moving Julius Randle would open up big minutes for Obi Toppin, who was excellent the last few games of the regular season when Randle was sidelined. It would also help keep the salary cap clean, something Leon Rose has excelled at during their tenure in the front office.