Unlike in previous years, the Houston Rockets have finally shown signs of progress under first-year head coach Ime Udoka. But if the franchise would want to speed up their timeline, they should entertain the idea of getting All-Star forward Julius Randle from the New York Knicks.
In college, Randle played one season with the Kentucky Wildcats, where he was named a third-team All-American and the SEC Rookie of the Year. He declared for the NBA draft after his freshman year, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.
Randle was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft, but his rookie season was cut short after he broke his leg in the season opener. He went on to spend four seasons with the Lakers before signing with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2018.
After one year in New Orleans, Randle joined the Knicks in 2019 and has since become a key contributor for the team. He is also a three-time NBA All-Star (2021, 2023, 2024) and has been named to the All-NBA Second Team (2021) and Third Team (2023). Randle was awarded the NBA Most Improved Player Award in 2021.
Outside the league, Randle has represented the United States national team. He won a gold medal at the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship back in 2012.
Houston Rockets Acquire New York Knicks’ Julius Randle in Intriguing Trade Idea
According to a trade proposal by Bleacher Report, the Rockets receive Randle in exchange for Jabari Smith Jr., Jock Landale, Jeff Green, and a first round pick. Shown below is the logic behind this move for Houston.
“If the Rockets want to make a big leap in the West standings next season, adding an All-Star power forward in the prime of his career could help.
Randle, 28, is a Texas native who would bring balance to this young Rockets team. He averaged 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game last season and would slide into a Houston starting five that also features Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and Alperen Şengün.
Smith, 21, has All-Star potential, but Randle is better suited to lead the Rockets into the playoffs now.”
Pairing Randle with a talented roster of NBA champion Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, and Alperen Sengun, among others, can give Houston a potential playoff core that can compete against various powerhouses in the Western Conference, such as Anthony Edwards’ Minnesota Timberwolves and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Oklahoma City Thunder. If healthy, he can elevate the team’s offense and make it more potent.
It remains to be seen what other moves Houston and New York will make in the coming weeks. If the former pulls off this trade, expect the Rockets to compete in the West next season.
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