Bleacher report released an interesting ‘course-changing’ trade for the New York Knicks. It’s a trade that certainly makes sense and should have a majority of fans on board.
THE TRADE
Knicks Receive: G Devin Booker
Suns Receive: 2020 first-round pick, PF Julius Randle, G Frank Ntilikina
First off, we here at Empire Sports Media are big supporters of Ntilikina. He has been and will continue to be one of the best defensive players for the Knicks. Ntilikina has improved his game each season he’s been in the league.
The coaching staff and fan want him to be more aggressive offensively. Thankfully, he brought that aggressiveness that he found playing in the FIBA World Cup to the Knicks. It was certainly a step in the right direction for sure.
Ntilikina was a player that had Knicks fans saying ‘Who!?!’ when drafted and thought was a bust his first two years. And while, he’s progression still hasn’t been what people thought, fans still always have faith him in. Ntilikina is a clear fan favorite.
However, if this trade were to be serious, trading him would be a no-brainer. If you can get an elite scorer, Booker, for a still developing point guard, you pull the trigger. The Knicks desperately need an elite, electric scorer and who better than Booker.
As for Randle, a majority of Knicks fan want him traded anyway. Yes, his stats are very solid but it’s the little nuances that get fans aggravated. Maybe Phoenix would be a better fit anyway. Smaller market with a lot less pressure similar to New Orleans.
We’ve always said the Knicks shouldn’t be trading away first-round picks anymore. That shipped has sailed. Even the Knicks came out and said they didn’t want to trade picks away. However, if it’s only ONE first-round pick for Booker then you pull that trigger as quickly as possible. But it probably wouldn’t be just one pick for a player like Booker though.
Pairing Booker with RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson would certainly be a major jump in the right direction. Barrett and Booker at the 1, 2 positions is something to really get excited about. Those two alone can lure free agents then add in the young, beastly Robinson. Those are 3 players that can get the New York Knicks back on track.