If the Utah Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen were available, the New York Knicks would probably need to let go of All-NBA power big Julius Randle. Randle is coming off a dismal season in which he suffered a dislocated shoulder and had to be shut down following surgery.
Randle is in the third year of a four-year, $117 million contract; he will turn thirty next year. Including a player option valued at $30.1 million for the 2025–2026 season, his pay cap total will be $28.9 million. Markkanen might make sense because the Knicks might think about trading him this off-season in exchange for a younger, more resilient player.
Despite becoming the NBA’s most improved player in 2022–2023; during the course of seven seasons, Markkanen has only been selected to one All-Star game. He averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and two assists during the previous campaign while shooting.399 from three-point range and.480 from the field. Markkanen is more productive than Randle, who has a little bit more volume, and is known for his offensive efficiency rather than his defensive prowess.
It may be argued that Markkanen would find it difficult to compete in a team headed by Tom Thibodeau, yet this season, he averaged 33.1 minutes per game as opposed to 35.4 for Randle. The Knicks should be more concerned about his defensive growth than his usage because the margin is narrow.
One NBA general manager, as reported by Heavy.com, thinks that Markkanen will be a “top target” for the Knicks as well as a number of other teams, such as the Lakers and Heat.
An NBA general manager stated, “There are a few teams that, when you look at it, he is going to be their dream target.” “The Lakers have someone like him in Anthony Davis, and it’s great for both of them.” The Knicks would be thrilled to sign him. Again, The Heat paired him with Bam (Adebayo), and that is the combination you want to center around. Jimmy (Butler) can be sent wherever he pleases.
Fortunately for New York, they can swap contracts with numerous great players in addition to having access to a sizable amount of draft money. Markkanen will play for $18 million against the salary cap in the upcoming season as he enters the last year of a four-year, $67.4 million contract.
At his age, the Knicks wouldn’t have to worry too much about his general fit or health if they were able to sign him to an extension right away. How important is Randle to New York, and do they think he can be the lone piece missing from a championship puzzle? Ultimately, the Knicks had to contend without a star player this past season due to his ineffectiveness during the playoffs; prior to the shoulder dislocation, he had been largely healthy for the previous four years.
Currently, it appears more likely that the Knicks will remain with their current roster than pursue a blockbuster trade, but a major trade might still happen, particularly if Leon Rose finds the ideal player.
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