Kofi Inkoom
The Houston Rockets are reportedly aiming for a win-now mode next season after finishing with a 41-41 record and missing the playoffs.
As the draft day approached, rumors circulated that GM Rafael Stone was considering trading their number three overall pick for an impactful player.
However, this plan changed after they selected Reed Shepherd. The team remains open to potential trades, with the goal of making the playoffs next season.
Bleacher Report’s Gregg Swartz has proposed a trade to bolster the Rockets’ ambitions for the upcoming season:
Houston Rockets Receive: PF Julius Randle
New York Knicks Receive: PF Jabari Smith Jr., C Jock Landale, F Jeff Green, 2027 first-round pick (top-five protected)
“Randle, 28, is a Texas native who would bring balance to this young Rockets team,” Swartz wrote in his NBA trade proposal. “He averaged 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game last season and would slide into a Houston starting five that also features Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and Alperen Şengün. Smith, 21, has All-Star potential, but Randle is better suited to lead the Rockets into the playoffs now.” Gregg wrote.
“For a Knicks team that still went 21-15 without Randle and reached the second round of the playoffs, this move is designed to increase future financial flexibility while staying in the title hunt now. Smith could start at power forward, or the Knicks could keep OG Anunoby at the four, allowing Josh Hart or Donte DiVincenzo to stay in the opening lineup as well.”
“Smith has two years remaining on his rookie deal, while Landale and Green are either in the final year of their contract or have a non-guaranteed salary for next season. That would save the Knicks a lot of potential money in 2025 with a Randle extension off the table.”
Despite The Athletic’s Fred Katz reporting that the Knicks are unlikely to trade Randle this offseason or during the mid season, Gregg believes Houston would be an ideal destination if the Knicks decide to part ways with him.
Randle, 30, dislocated his right shoulder in January against the Miami Heat and missed the rest of the 2023-24 season. He is eligible to sign an extension with the Knicks on August 3, with New York potentially offering him a contract worth up to $181.5 million over four years.
He played in 46 games last season, averaging 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.3 blocks while shooting 47.2% from the field, 31.1% from three-point range, and 78.1% from the free-throw line.
Jabari Smith Jr. on the other hand averaged 13.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 76 games, with shooting splits of 45.4% overall, 36.3% from three, and 81.1% from the foul line.
Houston drafted Smith Jr. with the third overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Auburn. The 21-year-old has career averages of 13.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.9 blocks.
The Knicks reached the conference finals and were one win away from making the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000 but lost to the Indiana Pacers in a decisive Game 7 at Madison Square Garden, with injuries being a significant factor in their loss.