To win in this league, you have to have wing players who can shoot distance, defend perimeter. For big wings or PFs, you have to defend on perimeter, be a help defender, attach rim while putting up some semblance of distance shooting.

Neither is the bread and butter for RJ/Randle, even projecting them out IMHO.

Both are also, at best, 4th of 5th type players on a deep playoff team but are in the role of #1-3 right now on current Knicks team (but understandably so).

I think both ARE adjusting downward from being focus of team to being more high level role players.

All I know is it is hard to have a high level defensive team with these 2 nutballs playing a lot of minutes.

Dang, back to the chemistry. I think RJ wants to fit in and gain chemistry with players, Randle is in his own head and has no sense of team chemistry, like at all.

If I had to pick one to stick with, it would be RJ and that may be by default. At the very least, during the pandemic year, RJ showed the ability to slash off the ball and hit the corner 3 which is what we need him to do now. Unfortunately, I think RJ has an inflated belief in his abilities. Standing behind the 3 pt line, waiting for Brunson to kick it to him and or flashing backdoor may not help him reach his individual goal of being a future all star. But, like I said, we have seen it before...Also, his 4 year deal hasn't even kicked in yet. If I'm another team, the only thing enticing about RJ's numbers are his age. All the other numbers are putrid.

Randle wont be easy to move but it depends on what we are looking to get back. If we are trying to get back an allstar or a player on the cusp of being an allstar, then we will have trouble moving him. But, moving Randle to a team that feels they need one more scorer to push them into contention; like Phoenix for instance, then that would be ideal. That's a team that needs another scorer, preferably off the bench...Problem is, I am not sure if they would commit to his long term contract.

jskinny35 wrote:Agree with all above - but Randle's value (guessing) went from something like receiving 2 first rounders (peak) to now having to attach a first to move him - unless it's for a worse contract a team is desperate to move on from. Do you think the Bulls would rather have Randle's long-term deal vs Lavines? Not sure...

And what would RJ's value be currently? Peak I would have said 2 first rounders and now maybe 1 first rounder? I would move RJ for Lavine because he is a better outside shooter and shot creator. Randle I would move for anything just to free up cap space - I am not interested in wasting another season rehabbing his play/image to land a heavily protected (late) first.

Randle has three years $27M average, Lavine 4 years $45M average. You think that's the same?

In retrospect, RJ should have been shipped out for DM. But in retrospect is easy. Since he has been here it has been work to focus on his positives. Kid just has no basketball IQ. Slow, does not see floor well and is a bit selfish. I would move him, Obi, EF, Rose for shooters that can defend.
I know IQ and Grimes are going to be good. Like JB, until we can get an elite PG who won't give up so much on D and passes more. Randle is what he has been since he got here. Bull offensively, good rebounder, limited IQ, consistent offensive producer. Think teams have trouble dealing with him. Especially if he shoots less threes and has a competent backup who can play 25 minutes. Okay with a trade for a legitimate upgrade. I am intrigued by Cam. Not high on any other one of our yoots. Time to ship them out for some additional chances at the draft lottery.