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
JJJ can do it all.. defend, block shots, put ball on the floor, hit the 3, finish with either hand..
.. a free agent after 2025 season.. his Dad coached the Westchester Knicks..
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.
Good to see the trade Randle scenarios are picking up, it was getting kind of slow. So one’s rationalization and perhaps even a fact is that you get rid of Julius and make the team better. Debatable if not dubious but okay. I just question why the winds always blow hardest when you would be selling low.
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 .
Always been a Randle advocate and all for the big line-up with Bridges at the 2 & OG at the 3;
That being said, not sure the Knicks are committed in giving Randle an extension; if that’s the case bringing in player that opens up the middle for Brunson and offers same defensive chops as Mitch (also a supporter of) who the Knicks may not want to commit long term to either.
A deal revolving around Randle, Mitch & McBride (another guy I would not like to lose) for
JJJ, Marcus Smart (playoff tested tough guy) & D. Rose to make salary work.
Might seem like too much to give up but price goes up bc Randle can opt out.
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.
I remember reading a random rumor we were interested in JJJ and Smart and it felt kinda real. JJJ has family ties to the Knicks. Randle would be a guy that Memphis might want to pair with Ja - those two form a pretty damn good duo.
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.
TheMTL wrote:My main concern about JJJ is his lack of rebounding. Giving up Mitch, Randle, and losing iHart is too much
This
