Knicks Rumors: Julius Randle Unlikely to Be Part of Donovan Mitchell Trade Packages

The New York Knicks are reportedly not expected to include Julius Randle in any trade package for Donovan Mitchell.

Andy Larson of the Salt Lake Tribune reported the Knicks are more likely to include Evan Fournier or Derrick Rose as part of a deal for salary-matching purposes.

The Knicks can package Rose or Fournier, along with Quentin Grimes, Cam Reddish and several draft picks to land Mitchell without trading Randle or RJ Barrett.

Any Mitchell trade would be aimed at making the team immediately competitive, so it's likely New York would balk at moving a player the front office considers vital to next season's efforts.

The Jazz are seemingly in a full-scale rebuild after trading Rudy Gobert and engaging the Knicks in Mitchell talks. The Minnesota Timberwolves gave up four future first-round picks, along with 2022 first-round pick Walker Kessler, as part of a deal for Gobert. Patrick Beverley, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt, the veteran players acquired for Gobert, were added largely for salary purposes and may wind up elsewhere later this offseason.

A year after putting together an All-NBA campaign, Randle returned to earth in an up-and-down 2021-22. He remained effective, posting averages of 20.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists, but failed to live up to the billing as a franchise star and bristled at criticism from fans.

It's possible he could return to All-Star form with another star alongside him in Mitchell.

Rose was limited to 26 games last season because of injuries, but he's still likely a more attractive trade piece than Fournier given the disparity between their contracts. Rose will make $14.5 million next season and has a team option for the 2023-24 season; Fournier is due $36.9 million guaranteed over the next two seasons before having a $19 million team option for 2024-25.

While neither Rose nor Fournier has much trade value around the league, the Jazz could reach a buyout with the 2010 NBA MVP and save salary.