Why The New York Knicks Do The Deal

Of course, Julius Randle’s three-point accuracy isn’t the only unpredictable variable in this deal. In fact, the New York Knicks’ whole approach to this summer is up-in-the-air.

That’s due to their ties to Donovan Mitchell. The Knicks are widely expected to pursue him this offseason. In fact, it may be more accurate to say that they’re expected to land him.

Here’s the rub: trading Randle for draft capital makes sense either way. If they land Mitchell, they’re clearing cap space and adding assets to either sign or trade for his co-star.

If they don’t, they’re clearing cap space and adding assets to either sign or trade for their first star. Either way, Randle is making close to star money without producing at a star level. That’s untenable for a team with as many future-focused assets at the Knicks.

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On the other hand, for a team as present-focused as the Lakers, it’s less of a concern. Their outlook this summer is simply – do whatever it takes to produce a winning team before LeBron James either retires or leaves.