Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte Hornets Receive: F/C Julius Randle
New York Knicks Receive: G/F Kelly Oubre Jr., C Mason Plumlee, F/C P.J. Washington
On the other hand, the New York Knicks wouldn’t need to attach first-round picks to move on from Randle. He may have had a rough showing in 2020-21, but his contract remains tradeable. Furthermore, at 27, he could still easily bounce back.
The Charlotte Hornets might be just the team to bet on him doing so. After all, they just lost Miles Bridges in a very unfortunate manner. He won’t be playing for any NBA team in 2022-23 as he faces charges of domestic abuse.
If the Hornets are in the market for a Bridges replacement this summer, Randle might do the trick. Granted, he’s not a perfectly comparable player – Randle is less athletic, but he’s a more sophisticated half-court scorer and playmaker. His ball-handling abilities will allow him to relieve LaMelo Ball at points throughout 2022-23.
As for the Knicks, they’re opting for depth over star power here. This deal would especially make sense if they’re landing Mitchell.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Charlotte Hornets & New York Knicks Updates
Bringing in two quality rotation players in Oubre Jr. and Washington who’ll complement their new star would be a prudent decision. The big man rotation looks a little crowded to accommodate Plumlee, but he’s still a solid trade chip and insurance policy.
Meanwhile, if the Knicks aren’t trading for Mitchell, getting off Randle’s contract and investing in the younger Washington still makes sense.
