JJJ has 2 yrs left on his contract, with no guarantee that Memphis will retain him. Randle & Mitch for JJJ & Brandon Clarke works $ wise but we would probably have to sweeten the deal by including McBride.

Also his dad coached the Westchester Knicks.

My main concern about JJJ is his lack of rebounding. Giving up Mitch, Randle, and losing iHart is too much

I am stuck.

JJJ has pretty much all of the same flaws as Randle does. He is younger so I can trick myself into believing he will improve. He is a less willing passer. A better defender. Better positional size. Worse rebounding. Both think they are three point shooters. Neither is that great at 3 point shooting. We are giving up the opportunity to relive January 2024 where Julius was arguably at his best. Even at his best, Julius averaged liked 5.2 assists and 3.8 turnovers. Meaning, that's not great court awareness or passing. Its a function of usage. 10 assists. 7 turnovers. 11 assists. 6 turnovers. 5 assists 5 turnovers. So, I don't want to fool myself into thinking Julius is a great passer. Josh Hart ran many triple doubles in that offense in his absence. But I don't want to fool myself into thinking JJJ will improve the offense either.

In terms of archtype lineups, JJJ has a spot among my favorites. Since we are missing a C, slotting JJJ to the C and letting either DDV or jHart run with the other guys would be elite. Hart's passing is pretty spot on, but gives up a piece of the floor since his shooting is suspect.

Brunson
Bridges
Anunoby
JJJ
[ANY PASSING CENTER]

vs

Brunson
DDV/jHart
Bridges
Anunoby
JJJ

Meaning, the biggest benefit of moving JR for JJJ is positional need and you could immediately replace most of JR's production with JJJ from the C spot and more than make up for it with either DDV or Hart from the SG position depending on whether you want more shooting or rebounding in the lineup.

I mean, its not an easy move but I probably would do it depending on price.

Randle is a beast compared to JJJ and just entering his prime … is Randle perfect no but he is our second best star on the roster. And with OG Bridges on the floor with Randal and Brunson we just made his life that much easier … if Mitch can stay healthy we are arguably the best team in the league. And healthy we are deep putting heart and DDV in the second unit with McBride who is coming into his own. We just need to solidify our backup 4 and 5.

All this talk of trading our second best player who is an all star can only be moved for another star and one that is even better. JJJ is a borderline all star when he wants to be. But he isn’t a rebounding or passing master like Randle. Randle is a triple double threat every time he steps on the floor . He’s a freaking beast. We would have swept Indy with Randle and we would have given Boston a run for there money . We need to see what this team can do before trading away any of our core players .

9.2 rpg and 8.5 rpg for 5 and 5. Where would the rebounding come from? JJJ, as much as I like him, is bad at rebounding. I know it's hot to be down on Randle, but his skill set fits the Knicks so much better right now. All he has to do is stop shooting those 3s,and leave that to JB, OG, MB ane DVV.

JJJ deal expires same time as Bridges..Randle (hopefully injury free) will opt out after next season.

Thinking we roll with Randle & Mitch to start season, then evaulate at trade deadline.

The more I think about it, the more I think JJJ is the final piece of this team.

JJJ to NY
Jeremiah Robinson Earl to NY
Santi Aldama to NY

Mitch to NOP
Rights to Rokas to NOP

Hart to Memphis
Herb Jones to Memphis
2025 Washington Pick

Brunson /Kolek / Payne
Bridges/ McBride
OG / Dadiet / Ryan
JJJ / Achiuwa / Earl
KAT / Aldama / Sims / Huk