A 3-Team Julius Randle Trade That Would Get New York Knicks to Bite

The Knicks grew into a playoff team with Randle, but the team’s identity has evolved. Randle isn’t near the tier of LeBron James, but their games have similarities as big, strong, physical shot creators. With the emergence of the Villanova Knicks (Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart and now Bridges), Randle is an expensive ball-stopper that just doesn’t fit anymore.

Williams, almost 26, is listed as 6’6″, 236 lbs.—Randle (nearly 30) is 6’8″, 260—but Williams has more experience as a role player with his time in Boston with the Celtics (and briefly in Dallas with the Mavericks). Williams is the better defender and shooter of the two, with a career three-point percentage of 37.7 percent (Randle’s is 33.3 percent). While Williams isn’t traditionally tall, he plays bigger (capable at either forward position, but probably best at power forward).

More importantly, Williams has a team-friendly contract for the next three years ($40.9 million), and the Knicks address a significant issue with the loss of Hartenstein in Richards. The backup center is listed at 7’0″ and is under contract for two years ($10 million, second-year non-guaranteed).

The Knicks go from over the first apron facing a $13.4 million luxury-tax penalty to entirely under the tax threshold ($170.8 million). The two “firsts” given up aren’t likely to convey as such—it’s really three second-rounders, along with losing Sims, who would be behind Precious Achiuwa, Robinson and Richards in the rotation.