Julius Randle To Los Angeles Lakers?
Utah Jazz Receive: G Russell Westbrook, 2023 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2023 First-Round Pick (DAL via NYK), 2025 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL), 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Julius Randle, G/F Evan Fournier
New York Knicks Receive: G Donovan Mitchell, G Jordan Clarkson
Realistically, this feels like the most sensible arrangement for the Utah Jazz.
Sure, they could take back veteran contracts from the New York Knicks. Their main priority here is draft capital but adding some combination of Evan Fournier and Derrick Rose or Alec Burks wouldn’t hurt them significantly.
At the same time, adding a massive expiring contract and five first-round picks is certainly more convenient.
The Jazz won’t have any interest in Westbrook. In all likelihood, they’ll either sit him or buy him out. Regardless, they’re getting as much draft capital as they could hope to here.
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At the same time, either of the other sides involved could prefer different arrangements. The Knicks, having signed Jalen Brunson already this summer, may not be interested in Clarkson. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers could be apprehensive about Randle’s fit in light of his poor shooting in 2021-22.
In either case, this next deal would suit the two sides better.