Will Julius Randle be the next domino to fall after the New York Knicks let go of RJ Barrett in the OG Anunoby trade?An NBA executive hinted that the Knicks’ next move would be the polarizing two-time All-Star forward, paired with star powerhouse Jalen Brunson.
“My initial reaction was that the Knicks were paying too much because of the hypothetical value you could get on paper for Quickley in a separate deal,” one NBA executive told HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. “But the Knicks are in a good position to use Julius Randle and Picks to make another big play, so that justifies giving up two of their scoring options. Anunoby’s health is also a factor that will help determine the aging of this profession.”Randle bounced back from a rough start after offseason ankle surgery. After scoring 28 points and 12 rebounds in the Knicks’ 140-126 loss to Indiana on Saturday, December 30, his performance on the court is close to that of last season. In 32 games, Randle averaged 23.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists. But his 3-point shooting had fallen to its lowest level in four years, at 28%. The new Knicks trioThe jury is still out on the Knicks’ new trio of Randle, Brunson and Anunoby. But Anunoby, who is a better 3-point shooter, particularly in catch-and-shoot and defense, than Barrett, is optimistic about the trade with the Knicks. “New York got the big defender they were looking for, and I also think that means they’re not done yet,” one NBA executive told Scotto. “They need to add another creative or scoring player or they will bring Brunson to his knees.”The Knicks have lost their last three games. Anunoby will make his Knicks debut on January 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, whose All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns remains a name to watch in New York. It will be interesting to see how long it takes for the Knicks to make another move,” another NBA executive told HoopsHype. “There aren’t many opportunities for the other players on the team to create shots at the moment and Brunson is under a lot of pressure. I understand why New York made the trade. The team played selfishly. Anunoby is a better fit for what they have than Barrett.Anunoby fits into the Knicks puzzle. But he is not the star they are looking for to complete it. Scott Perry says the Knicks abused RJ BarrettFormer Knicks general manager Scott Perry hinted that his former team, and now Barrett’s former team, abused the former No. 1 pick. 3 choices.“I’m a really big fan of RJ Barrett, but I always thought he was better [shooting] at the guard position,” Perry said on the Hoop Genius podcast in his immediate reaction to the blockbuster trade of SATURDAY. “They used him as a [small forward] and even a backup [power forward].”Barrett averaged 18.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists with a below-average shooting split of 42/34/72 in 297 games with the Knicks. He never developed a consistent outside shot and his defense deteriorated, leading to this split. Barrett, 23, is now heading to Canada where he can rehabilitate.
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