Could the Knicks’ forward now be more available?
The Houston Rockets’ roster may not be finalized for the 2024-25 NBA season. Sure, the majority of the offseason has passed, and the next stage on the league’s schedule is training camp. However, a deal to acquire a talented forward may be too much for Houston to refuse.
It has been claimed that the organization is looking for a star forward to supplement their present squad with the hopes of establishing a playoff team. They’re also close, having built on a 41-41 record and a developing young core.
Houston, on the other hand, wants to speed up the process of making the playoffs, which will almost certainly mean splitting up part of their young core to bring in more win-now players. The club can target Julius Randle, the standout forward for the New York Knicks.
Randle’s trade package might include Jabari Smith Jr. (a young player as a trade chip), Jeff Green, and Jock Landale. The salary filler would be removed off their books after one year, allowing the team to manage the salary cap moving forward.
The Knicks gained OG Anunoby during the regular season last year and got Mikal Bridges this offseason. With Jalen Brunson and Dante DiVincenzo, the team doesn’t absolutely need Randle’s
services if they wish to keep flexibility. The Rockets would be adding a player who averaged 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game while earning his third All-Star selection.
With a starting lineup of Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Randle, and Alperen Sengun, it’s difficult to dismiss the Rockets as a playoff contender. Does this make them a contender, though? Not necessarily. Of course, they’d keep most of their young core, even if a significant amount of it came off the bench. But a postseason surge would occur, and the team would continue to improve their squad with one trade after the next.
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