Don’t look now, but the New York Knicks have found a way to survive the early part of the season and remain alive in the playoff hunt. This is the first time that could be said and who knows how long. With NBA star Derrick Rose now on the team. they appear interested invested in making a push for a playoff appearance.
The Knicks are getting great contributions from their young guns plus Julius Randle. In a very top-heavy Eastern Conference, the Knicks could keep their head above water if they make another big splash deal at the NBA trade deadline.
Randle could be involved in that deal. He is averaging 22.3 points and 10.9 rebounds in his second year in New York to lead the team. He is having an all-star caliber season which is why the team could take advantage of his value right away.
This all comes down to what the team has planned for the big man. Julius Randle is still young enough to where he can sign an extension in New York. If the front office has no interest in an extension, then it would make sense for them to trade him away with only one year left on his deal.
An interested team could be the San Antonio Spurs. They have just a star to send New York. DeMar DeRozan is in the final year of his contract after opting in for the 2020-2021 season. He will make $27.7 million off his player option this season.
Moving forward, he will get a much lower deal at this stage of his career. The Knicks would be in a position to extend DeRoza for a much cheaper price tag. He has proven that he still has plenty left in the tank leading the Spurs with 20.2 points per game.
This would give the Knicks that big-name player they have been missing out. Here is what it might take to land DeRozan in the Big Apple prior to the deadline.