NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 02: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks celebrates his three point shot in the first half against the Miami Heat during game two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Madison Square Garden on May 02, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Knicks fans pound the table for wild Julius Randle trade after draft lottery
New York Knicks fans learned at the draft lottery that the organization wouldn’t have a pick in the 2023 NBA Draft unless the front office decides to trade into the draft. The odds of that happening don’t seem high, but it shouldn’t be counted out yet.
Although the Knicks currently don’t have a pick, that hasn’t stopped fans from creating ideas based on the lottery order. The Trail Blazers have the No. 3 pick in this year’s draft and according to ESPN’s Zach Lowe (subscription required), Portland is expected to “heavily shop” the pick. Damian Lillard’s future with the organization is unclear, so there’s a chance that the Trail Blazers could trade the pick for a win-now veteran to entice Lillard to stay.
A Knicks fan on Reddit put forth the bizarre idea that Portland should consider trading the No. 3 pick to New York if the Knicks offered Julius Randle in a deal. It’s true that New York could trade Randle in the offseason, especially with how he performed in the playoffs, but it’s hard to envision the Trail Blazers trading away a high pick in the draft for him. It’s a deal that New York would make 10 out of 10 times, but not Portland.
Knicks fan on Reddit creates Julius Randle trade with Trail Blazers for No. 3 pick
If the Trail Blazers made that type of trade with the Knicks, Portland’s entire front office should be fired immediately. The organization would be better off trading for a veteran (just not Julius Randle) considering that Damian Lillard will turn 33 this summer and although he had a good 2022-23 season, time isn’t on the Trail Blazers’ side.
Lillard’s already said that Portland needs to build a contending team this offseason, and drafting a player with the No. 3 pick won’t help to accomplish what the star point guard wants.
Trading for Randle wouldn’t make the Trail Blazers contenders, either. He’s coming off a season where he was named an All-Star for the second time in three seasons, but Randle hasn’t shown that he’s able to handle the bright lights in the playoffs.
Shoutout to the Knicks fans on Reddit that are cooking up offseason trades that would only benefit New York. Your heart is in the right place, but remember that the other team/s involved have to agree to the trade, too.
