The New York Knicks and Hornets have discussed an expiring deal involving Rozier and Randle, according to SNY’s Ian Begley. It made sense at the time and worth revisiting.
New York needs a point guard, a phrase echoed so often that it reached record-breaking status in the Big Apple long ago. Rozier isn’t perfect, but perfection isn’t needed to update this group of positions. The Knicks created the lowest sixth assist potential per game, and it wasn’t because they were such a brilliant one-on-one team that they didn’t need to share rock. In fact, only two offenses were less effective on isolation.
If the Knicks don’t trade a big deal for Paul or close a big deal with Fred VanVleet, they’ll need a new plan general. Rozier can hold that position long enough to build a bridge to the future, whether he’s a potential client in this draft (cough, ball) or someone landing later down the line.
Randle is very impressed for posting blank numbers, but the Hornets could welcome numbers of any kind after scoring an average of 2.9 points less per game than their second worst bout last season. Additionally, this may be one of the only frontcourts where it would qualify as a clear upgrade, assuming Charlotte thinks she can stick around in the center. The Hornets need a long-term option there with only Cody Zeller signed for next season.