The NBA offseason is at a standstill and teams are preparing to report to training camp. Teams’ rosters are where they’re likely going to go for the season and any big moves that could happen will likely have to wait until the trade deadline. While guys like Lauri Markkanen (who can’t be traded right now) and Brandon Ingram have dominated trade rumors for the better part of the last month, Knicks forward Julius Randle is now the hottest name on the trade market due to his lack of an extension since becoming extension-eligible on August 3. The Knicks could trade Randle to add more pieces around the core of Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges. Because Brunson agreed to a team-friendly deal, the Knicks still have a big salary cap they could fill by trading Randle for more immediate help. The Knicks could use a center and more depth, but is a trade possible?
It’s pretty difficult to arrange a trade for Randle due to the new CBA restrictions, but you could bring in a third team to try to make things easier.
Two teams could look to shake things up: the Atlanta Hawks and the Los Angeles Clippers. The Hawks made a big move by sending Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for a package centered around Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance and two first-round picks. Even after that, rumors still swirl about whether the Hawks would trade Clint Capela, De’Andre Hunter or Nance to continue reconfiguring their team around Trae Young.
The Clippers feel like a team lost at sea right now. They lost Paul George in free agency and they can’t seem to stay healthy. They also don’t have control over their own draft picks in the near future, making a complete rebuild impossible. They have a rapidly shrinking draft window with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden and may have to jump at the chance to add a star player to the team. Could they make a move for Randle?
Let’s look at a hypothetical trade that could make sense for all three teams.
It should be noted that this is simply a fun, speculative exercise to see what kind of moves can be made, not what I think the Hawks should or will do. That’s all.
The Atlanta Hawks receive: Norm Powell, PJ Tucker, Amir Coffey, Mitchell Robinson and Keita Bates-Diop
New York receives: Clint Capela, De’Andre Hunter and a 2031 1st round pick via LAC (Top-Ten protected)
LA receives: Julius Randle, Larry Nance
Why the Hawks are making this deal: It would be about sorting out the future. Capela and Nance are already on expiring contracts and the Hawks are in a bind at center. They need to figure out if Onyeka Okongwu is the center of the future and if they saw what they could get for Nance or Capela, they would be better off if they saw what they could get. Norm Powell would give them viable depth right now and he is a great shooter and scorer off the bench. Robinson could be a good replacement for Okongwu and Coffey and Bates-Diop are both interesting players on expiring contracts who could provide depth. It would be more for the future and getting rid of Hunter’s contract as well. Atlanta would move forward with plenty of cap space to make moves if needed and extend Jalen Johnson. They also remain under the tax after those trades.
Why the Hawks aren’t making this deal: Are the Hawks really in a better position after this deal? Capela and Nance are already out of contract and are better than anyone they get (maybe besides Powell). They already have Bogdan Bogdanovic to come off the bench and be a scorer. This doesn’t solve any major problems for the Hawks and costs them a first-round pick in the process. Coffey and Bates-Diop are mildly intriguing as depth players, but nothing more.
Why the Knicks are making this deal: The Knicks need a reliable center and rumors link them to Capela. Hunter gives them bench depth and they get a future first-round pick.
Why the Knicks aren’t making this deal: Randle has his flaws, but would the Knicks be better off without him and with Capela and Hunter? Caplea’s contract is expiring and Hunter has struggled with injuries. After the season, the Knicks will either have to re-sign Capela or look for another center.
Why the Clippers are making this deal: They don’t have many options to improve. Any potential deal for a good player should intrigue them because their options are very limited. This may not be a great pick, but Randle is an upgrade talent. This team as it stands is hardly a playoff team in the Western Conference
Why the Clippers aren’t making this deal: The only reason I think the Clippers say no is because they don’t want to trade picks. They should, however, vet every player that becomes available.
Again, this deal is highly unlikely and I don’t think it makes much sense for either the Hawks or the Knicks. That said, trade season can be surprising and I wouldn’t be surprised if these three teams were linked in some way.
