The New York Knicks have had an impressive offseason, and they may not be done yet as they look for future financial flexibility. They also need a backup center after losing Isaiah Hartenstein to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
In a trade proposal from Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report, the Knicks would achieve both goals by trading Julius Randle to the Houston Rockets for Jabari Smith Jr. and additional assets.
Rockets would receive: Randle
Knicks would receive: Smith, Jock Landale, Jeff Green, 2027 first-round pick (top-five protected)
“For a Knicks team that still went 21-15 without Randle and reached the second round of the playoffs, this move is designed to increase future financial flexibility while staying in the title hunt now,” Swartz wrote on July 23. “Smith can either start at power forward or the Knicks can keep OG Anunoby at the four, allowing Josh Hart or Donte DiVincenzo to stay in the starting lineup as well.
“Smith has two years remaining on his rookie deal while Landale and Green are either in the final year of their contract or have a non-guaranteed deal for next season, saving the Knicks a lot of potential money in 2025 with a Randle extension off the table.”
Does Moving Randle Help the Knicks’ Title Chances?
After trading for Mikal Bridges, re-signing OG Anunoby, and extending Jalen Brunson this offseason, the New York Knicks clearly believe they have a championship window. Their moves have signaled this ambition, and if they stay healthy, they likely have a chance to contend.
However, trading Randle, a two-time All-NBA and three-time All-Star in the past four seasons, might not help their championship pursuit. Unless they find a replacement who fits their timeline, trading away a 24-point-per-game scorer is questionable.
While this trade could benefit the Knicks financially in a few years, Smith will likely seek a lucrative contract eventually, too.
In the 2023-24 season, the Knicks were 29-17 with Randle on the court, including a 12-2 stretch in January after trading for Anunoby when the team was fully healthy.
Despite only playing 46 games due to shoulder surgery, Randle had one of his best seasons, averaging 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. He also shot 47.2% from the field, his highest mark since joining the Knicks in 2019-2020. Replacing 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists isn’t easy.
How Smith Would Help the Knicks
Smith is an intriguing prospect, but the Houston Rockets have been improving and are building after a few down years. Trading Smith, even for a player of Randle’s caliber, seems unlikely.
In the 2023-24 season, the former No. 3 pick in the 2022 NBA draft averaged 13.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and shot 36.3% from 3-point range on 5.0 attempts per game.
At 21 years old, Smith has potential, but he lacks playoff experience, which the Knicks need. Every move the Knicks make should aim to compete with top teams in the Eastern Conference like the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks. While Smith could eventually help, it’s a tall order to expect immediate impact from a young player without playoff experience.