5 NBA stars Knicks could land alongside Jalen Brunson as Julius Randle trade rumors sizzle

Modified Jan 12, 2024 23:34 GMT

Looking at 5 players who the Knicks can pursue in exchange for Julius Randle

The New York Knicks aren't done making moves and could trade Julius Randle this season. After the Knicks traded away RJ Barrett, they improved their perimeter defense, with OG Anunoby showing why he's one of the most coveted defensive wings.

New York could make more noise and improve their offense as trade rumors around Randle have started to heat up. While he's still a great player, the Knicks see that they can improve on their offense and have finally made him available for a trade.

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With the emergence of Jalen Brunson, the Knicks are looking forward to seeing the guard's growth over Randle.

Also read: "He cussed us out in practice": Julius Randle comically debunks Tom Thibodeau’s “good spirits” claim about Knicks

How well has Julius Randle played this season?

Julius Randle is the Knicks' second option on offense. He could command a significant trade package, as he's shown massive improvement this season.

Randle is one of the most reliable players on the Knicks' roster, having played all of their games since the start of the campaign. The 6-foot-8 power forward is averaging 24.4 points, 9.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists while making 47.4% of his shots from the field.

Unfortunately, Randle is not having the best season shooting the three-pointer, only making 29%. Still, he provides great value to the Knicks and could make an impact on any team he's traded to.

Also read: "Both All-Stars easily": Knicks fans revise opinions as Jalen Brunson & Julius Randle go nuclear with 72 points

#5 DeMar DeRozan

The Knicks want to improve their offense, which is why trading Julius Randle for DeMar DeRozan would be perfect. DeRozan is an elite star in the league and can provide a hefty amount of points. Plus, he's a reliable scorer during the crucial moments.

Having DeRozan play with Jalen Brunson could be problematic for opposing teams, as both players are deadly scorers in the clutch.

#4 Tobias Harris

Tobias Harris knows the situation that Randle is in. He's constantly on the trade block, and many are waiting for an official move to happen. The Knicks trading for Harris could be a smart move since it will help Brunson shine as their franchise star.

Although he's averaging fewer points than Randle, Harris can help the offense with his shooting. The 6-foot-9 forward is a sharpshooter who is averaging 35.9% from the three this season.

#3 Kyle Kuzma

The Knicks should consider trading for Kyle Kuzma, as he's having the best season of his career. Kuzma is putting up career-highs across the board, and that could propel the team to reach new heights this year.

Kuz is averaging 22.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists. Just like Randle, he's a star capable of scoring 20 points. And like Harris, he's a reliable threat from deep, making 34% of his shots.

#2 Karl-Anthony Towns

Minnesota Timberwolves v New York Knicks

The Minnesota Timberwolves are unsure what to do with the pairing of Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert. While having both of them seems to be working, it looks like the Wolves are looking to improve their star power.

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For the Knicks, having Towns in exchange for Randle would be a significant upgrade. He's a double-double machine who's capable of shooting 40% from the three-point arc.

#1 Donovan Mitchell

The Knicks have a chance to trade for Donovan Mitchell now that they are ready to let go of Julius Randle. However, no one knows what the asking price for the Cleveland Cavaliers star is.

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Trading for Mitchell will improve their backcourt, making them one of the deadliest offensive duos in the league. Brunson and Mitchell are both capable stars who can shine in the Big Apple.