Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Trades: 3 blockbuster RJ Barrett trades to help the Knicks

By Jack Simone

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 2: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks smiles in a break in play against the Toronto Raptors during the first half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on January 2, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 2: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks smiles in a break in play against the Toronto Raptors during the first half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on January 2, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
NBA Trades, RJ Barrett, Knicks
Nov 20, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas (17) and New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) on the bench in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

NBA Trades: 3 blockbuster RJ Barrett trades to help the Knicks – Brandon Ingram

Knicks receive: Brandon Ingram, Jonas Valanciunas

Pelicans receive: RJ Barrett, Evan Fournier, Mitchell Robinson, Quentin Grimes, Kevin Knox II, 2024 First-Round Pick, 2026 First-Round Pick, 2022 Second-Round Pick

Okay, this would be a bit crazy. The New Orleans Pelicans have been awful this season, so why not consider blowing it up and planning for the future instead?

RJ Barrett would be sent to New Orleans where he would play with his college teammate Zion Williamson. The two would be the new pillars of the franchise, growing and building together.

The Pelicans would also get a quality rotation player in Evan Fournier, as well as three young pieces to develop in Mitchell Robinson, Quentin Grimes, and Kevin Knox II.

This would reset the franchise a bit, but with how they’ve played this year, that could be just what they need. On the flip side, the Knicks would take a huge jump in terms of talent.

They would be adding an All-Star in Brandon Ingram, as well as a near All-Star-caliber center in Jonas Valanciunas. Their roster would be immediately improved.

A starting lineup of Kemba Walker, Alec Burks, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle, and Jonas Valanciunas would be a playoff-caliber starting five.

They would need to reformulate the roster around that a bit, but that’s something that could be handled with other trades or in the offseason if it came to that.

Overall, losing Barrett would hurt, but getting Ingram and Valanciunas would definitely raise the ceiling of the Knicks. If they want to win right now, they should look into this deal.

Home/New York Knicks