Milwaukee Bucks Receive: F/C Julius Randle
New York Knicks Receive: C Brook Lopez, F D.J. Wilson, MIL 2021 1st Round Pick
Early on this season, Julius Randle has single-handedly given the New York Knicks hope this season and while R.J. Barrett is the future of their organization, Randle is the now and is earning every bit of his $18.9M contract this season. Through 13 games this season, Randle is averaging 23.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, 6.7 assists and shooting 50.2% from the floor, 35.3% from three-point range.
Randle looks like a completely different player than he has early in his career and is definitely the type of player the Bucks need to match up against the Brooklyn Nets, who recently went out and acquired former league MVP James Harden.
While the Milwaukee Bucks currently reside amongst the top of the Eastern Conference at 9-4, Brook Lopez has been a big let down for them at the center position. His scoring, rebounding and shooting numbers are all down, besides his three-point shooting.
Brook Lopez has been a reliable role player for the Bucks over the years and while he has been an anchor for their defense next to Giannis Antetokounmpo in the frontcourt, his role with this team has slowly diminished over time. With Milwaukee going with a more offensive-minded approach to things, Lopez’s minutes have begun to decline and his productivity has as well.
In order for this team to reach the NBA Finals this season, they will need to address their frontcourt issues, as Bobby Portis cannot be the only guy in the frontcourt besides Giannis Antetokounmpo contributing. Julius Randle could really open up Milwaukee’s offense even more and make them an even more lethal scoring team.
While trading Randle may not be ideal for the Knicks since they have not looked terrible to begin the year, they are still projected to miss the playoffs and trading him away while his value is at the highest it will be could provide New York with the assets they need to be a legit threat in the East next year.
Let’s take a closer look as to why the Milwaukee Bucks and the New York Knicks should make this trade with one-another.
