Philadelphia 76ers Receive: F/C Julius Randle, G Derrick Rose
New York Knicks Receive: F Tobias Harris, 2024 First-Round Pick (Swap), 2026 First-Round Pick (Swap)
This trade raises two questions on the New York Knicks’ end: how badly do they want to move on from Julius Randle, and how much do they covet draft capital?
After all, Tobias Harris’ massive contract could hamstring them for a couple of seasons. If keeping cap space open in the event that they can sign a massive free agent is the plan, this might not be the deal for the Knicks.
On the other hand, next summer’s free-agent crop isn’t exactly star-studded. Meanwhile, Harris’ contract will be an expiring deal at the end of 2022-23, and therefore easier to move. If the Knicks can hold out for one, mediocre free agency class, this trade leaves them with an even more substantial collection of draft capital than they already have.
As for the Philadelphia 76ers, there’s only one relevant question here: who is the real Julius Randle? With this deal, they’re gambling that he can at least split the difference between 2020-21 and 2021-22.
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If he can, the 76ers would be getting a better player than Randle, and a nice backup point guard in Derrick Rose to spare, which is a no-brainer for Philadelphia.
