As you might expect, the Timberwolves weren’t the only team the Knicks were talking to about Julius Randle. The Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat were also among the potential destinations for the three-time All-Star, according to SportsNet New York reporter Ian Begley.
Presumably, the chance to acquire Towns, whom they’ve long coveted, was just too much to pass up. It’s worth noting that Towns was represented by Knicks president Leon Rose during his time as a sports agent.
Of the aforementioned teams, the Hawks and Heat each have All-Stars who are on the same or higher floor than Towns. Additionally, Atlanta’s Trae Young and Miami’s Jimmy Butler have both been involved in trade rumors this offseason. Butler is even widely considered Knicks coach Tom Thibideau’s favorite. However, there appears to be hesitation on the Hawks and Heat’s part about actually moving them.
It’s also highly unlikely that New York would have traded Randle for Young because they already have a high-usage guard. In fact, Atlanta may have actually offered a package that included players like De’Andre Hunter and Clint Capela, who have long been on the trade block. Taking that deal would have actually improved the Knicks’ frontcourt depth.
However, neither Hunter nor Capela are on Towns’ level in terms of cap-raising ability.
A trade to the Pistons could have had several consequences.
Jaden Ivey seems to be the odd man out in the Motor City right now despite being drafted fifth overall in 2022. Requiring the ball in his hands to perform at his best, he doesn’t mesh well with Cade Cunningham in the backcourt. He’s also another former Rose client. However, there’s nothing to suggest he’d be more successful alongside Brunson.