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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 30: Buddy Hield #24 of the Indiana Pacers celebrates in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 30, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Knicks News

3 trades Knicks could make to improve roster amid shaky start

by Desmond Novack
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Jae Crowder, Phoenix Suns. (Photo by Vincent Carchietta/USA TODAY Sports) – New York Knicks

2: Julius Randle to the Suns for Jae Crowder and more

Before the start of the season, I wrote an article based on a report from a Suns beat reporter that stated they were looking to trade for a “post-up” power forward. While Randle doesn’t necessarily fit the post-up style of play, the Suns could still use a new PF with Jae Crowder requesting a trade.

With that in mind, I drew up a trade in which the Knicks sent Randle to the Suns for Crowder, Dario Saric, a protected first-round pick, and a second-round pick. However, with how poorly Randle has started the season, I doubt the Suns would want to give away a first.

Knicks Get
Jae Crowder
Dario Saric
2024 second-round pick
Suns Get
Julius Randle

Regardless, with Crowder sitting out and Saric not being used much at all, the Suns could be interested in removing two guys who don’t play for what could be a valuable player.

Obviously, Randle is currently not playing very well. However, with a much better team and coach, Randle could potentially go back to being the solid player he was in years past.

From the Suns’ point of view, this trade is really dependent on the situation the team finds themselves in. If they are winning and are having no problems like they currently are, they likely would not pull this trade off. But if they go on a losing streak and become desperate, they could take on Randle’s contract in an attempt to make the team better.

For the Knicks, this trade would not only bring some very valuable 3-and-D play from Crowder but it would also give Obi Toppin a better chance at taking the starting job and breaking out.

As things currently stand, I don’t think the Suns would do this trade, as they won’t want to make drastic changes or take on contracts while winning. If they want to try and make a move to take them over the hump though, we could see interest increase.

Next: Trading veterans to a tanking team

<div class="details"> <div class="team-name">Knicks Get</div> <div class="info">Josh Richardson</div> <div class="info">2024 second-round pick (via Detroit)</div> </div> </div> <div class="separator"></div> <div class="team b"> <div class="logo"><img src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/06/3-trades-knicks-make-improve-roster-amid-shaky-start/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fspurs.png"/>
<div class="details"> <div class="team-name">Spurs Get</div> <div class="info">Evan Fournier</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>Personally, I absolutely love this trade. While Richardson is scoring more points on better efficiency, he is also a much better defender, which is something the Knicks really need right now.</p> <p>Obviously, Fournier provides some elite shooting at times, however, he is a literal traffic cone on defense and has cost the Knicks. What makes this trade tricky though, is that I don&#8217;t know why the Spurs would do it.</p> <p>Maybe they want to take on the worse player to have a higher chance of tanking, as they are currently 5-5&nbsp;<a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/06/3-trades-knicks-make-improve-roster-amid-shaky-start/2/"https://airalamo.com/posts/fluke-fabulous-san-antonio-spurs-actually-good" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on the season</a>. So, trading away a versatile defender and scorer for an inefficient pure shooter could work better in their odds of drafting Victor Wembanyama.</p> <p>If this trade goes through, Richardson will likely come off the bench for the Knicks, as a move like this would allow Quentin Grimes to step into the starting role and provide some great 3-and-D play for New York.</p> <p>Richardson would be a great defensive addition for a team that needs it. With the Spurs looking to tank, I could see them unloading him to a team in return for a contract that frees up cap space. With Fournier being on a three-year deal, he could eventually provide solid minutes for the team whenever they&#8217;re ready to contend again.</p> <p>What makes this trade least likely to occur is the Spurs sending over a pick alongside Richardson, which I don&#8217;t see happening as they are likely trying to stockpile any picks they can get. However, I would easily send a second-round pick with Fournier to bring in the better player.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/06/3-trades-knicks-make-improve-roster-amid-shaky-start/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span>&nbsp;A trade that sends Julius Randle to a contender </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_135377" class="wp-caption alignnone"> <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/06/3-trades-knicks-make-improve-roster-amid-shaky-start/2/"https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/imagn-images/2018/08/17236847.jpeg">""wrote an article</a> based on a report from a Suns beat reporter that stated they were looking to trade for a &#8220;post-up&#8221; power forward. While Randle doesn&#8217;t necessarily fit the post-up style of play, the Suns could still use a new PF with Jae Crowder requesting a trade.</p> <p>With that in mind, I drew up a trade in which the Knicks sent Randle to the Suns for Crowder, Dario Saric, a protected first-round pick, and a second-round pick. However, with how poorly Randle has started the season, I doubt the Suns would want to give away a first.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Trade" data-team-ids="[27,66]" data-team-gets="[[&quot;Jae Crowder&quot;,&quot;Dario Saric&quot;,&quot;2024 second-round pick&quot;],[&quot;Julius Randle&quot;]]" > <div class="playertrade remove-native-227"> <div class="trade"> <div class="team a"> <div class="logo"><img src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/06/3-trades-knicks-make-improve-roster-amid-shaky-start/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fknicks.png"/>
<div class="details"> <div class="team-name">Knicks Get</div> <div class="info">Jae Crowder</div> <div class="info">Dario Saric</div> <div class="info">2024 second-round pick</div> </div> </div> <div class="separator"></div> <div class="team b"> <div class="logo"><img src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/06/3-trades-knicks-make-improve-roster-amid-shaky-start/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fsuns.png"/>