In this image captured by Getty, we see Julius Randle in action during a game against the Brooklyn Nets on December 20.
Julius Randle’s contract extension with the New York Knicks remains a hot topic in the world of trading. The Knicks have until August 3 to offer him a four-year deal worth $181.5 million, and until then, discussions about his future with the team will persist.
The Memphis Grizzlies could be a potential trade partner for the team.
Memphis acquires: Randle, in exchange.
In the trade deal, Jaren Jackson Jr., along with the 2026 and 2029 first-round picks, will be going to New York.
At only 24 years old, Jackson Jr. is a former All-Star who had a tough season with the Grizzlies. Unfortunately, Memphis struggled to a 27-55 record, mostly due to point guard Ja Morant’s absence for the majority of the year.
In 66 regular-season games, Jackson maintained impressive statistics with an average of 22.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.2 steals.
Due to injury, Randle had a down year and was unable to participate in the final 36 games of the regular season due to a dislocated shoulder.
The Knicks’ recent trade for Mikal Bridges cost them some valuable assets, but a potential deal with the Grizzlies could help replenish those losses. Julius Randle, who put up impressive numbers of 24 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5 assists in 46 games with the Knicks, could be a valuable addition to the team.
Why Would Memphis Go All-In On Randle?
Memphis is entering the sixth season with the Jackson and Morant duo. Although the Grizzlies have made it to the playoffs three times out of the five seasons, they were only able to make it past the first round in 2022.
Prioritizing the optimization of Ja Morant’s prime should always be the main focus if the Memphis Grizzlies are confident in his role as the team’s cornerstone.
The Grizzlies’ roster now has some redundancy after selecting Zach Edey from Purdue. This is due to the fact that they have two players who are seven-footers and occupy the same position.
It remains to be seen if these two players can play together effectively. However, Edey’s game possesses a level of readiness that could allow Memphis to strengthen other parts of their roster.
At just 22 years old, he has already earned the title of AP Player of the Year twice. During his senior season at Purdue, he demonstrated his exceptional skills by averaging 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and 2.0 assists per game.
Why Would The Knicks Trade Randle?
Before Jalen Brunson arrived, Randle was the prominent figure of New York basketball.
He has missed time in consecutive postseasons due to injury and is now up for an extension as early as August 3rd.
The Knicks have added OG Anunoby and Bridges to their roster, resulting in an abundance of starters. As a result, Donte DiVincenzo, who holds the franchise record for most 3-pointers in a season, is expected to move to the bench.
The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired Isaiah Hartenstein from the team, resulting in his departure from the squad in free agency.
New York’s revamped team could suffer greatly from his absence. The Knicks were outscored by 0.7 points per 100 possessions in the 3,816 possessions where the starting center was not on the court. While this may seem like a small figure, their offensive and defensive metrics were only in the 51st and 47th percentiles, respectively, making them average at best.
Tom Thibodeau, the head coach, seems to be a hindrance to next year’s plan due to his reluctance to use small-ball lineups.
Last season, non-center lineups were only utilized for a mere 32 possessions, which amounts to just .004% of the total possessions played.
Thibodeau could benefit greatly from Jackson, the NBA’s top shot-blocker for the years 2021-2023. Jackson’s presence would provide a much-needed rim protector for Thibodeau’s team, particularly in a five-out offensive setup.
At only 24 years of age, this individual has established themselves as a reliable 34% shooter from beyond the arc. Impressively, they were awarded the title of Defensive Player of the Year just last year.
As the next season approaches, New York sets its sights on becoming a title contender. However, their path through the Eastern Conference is fraught with challenges due to the absence of a true-shooting big man or a willingness to play small-ball.
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