Why the Portland Trail Blazers should trade for Julius Randle

PORTLAND, OREGON – JANUARY 24: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against Derrick Jones Jr. #55 of the Portland Trail Blazers in the first quarter at Moda Center on January 24, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

The Portland Trail Blazers are a mess right now heading into the 2022 offseason. It’s like they have a roadmap with no coordinates or compass. The Blazers made moves to give them financial flexibility by moving off star guard CJ McCollum in a trade to the New Orleans Pelicans. Other notables were a part of that trade package in Larry Nance Jr and Tony Snell. The only noteworthy asset in return was a defensive-minded wing in Josh Hart.

In another move, they got rid of the contracts of Norman Powell and Robert Covington in what was considered a pure salary dump exchange. The players in return were the hefty contract of combo guard Eric Bledsoe, who is making around $18 million annually, a former draft bust in forward Justise Winslow, and an unproven young asset in guard Keon Johnson.

All in all downgrades across the board with no indication to their fanbase of a plan to keep their franchise star, Damian Lillard, happy!

Why the Portland Trail Blazers should trade for Julius Randle

In New York, the Knicks franchise star power forward, Julius Randle, is being booed out of town as much of the fanbase is clamoring for demands to trade the struggling big man. He is still only 27 years old and has yet to enter his prime, after the season he had in 2020-21, you would think Knicks fans would be a bit more patient for the former All-NBA Second-Teamer.

The Blazers and Knicks both went from being teams battling it out in their respective conferences for playoff seeding to missing the postseason altogether in a matter of just one year!

New York needs to re-concentrate their rebuilding efforts around the likes of RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson, younger guys with more long-term upside. Portland needs to give their centerpiece in Dame a reason to stay as he has no star counterparts to play alongside.

To much of a surprise, Lillard has remained loyal to the soil when it comes to Rip City, but deep down he is a competitor who wants to be put in the best situation for himself to compete for NBA titles, not the highest lottery odds. Enter the services of former All-Star big man Julius Randle into the equation. I think Batman would get his ideal Robin in this scenario!

Randle can no longer thrive under the brightest lights in the league playing for one of the biggest markets in all of basketball. Getting traded to Portland would ease the pressure off him to be an alpha and he could become more of a complimentary star deferring to a superstar in Damian Lillard!

The Knicks want him out of town, and despite what Julius may say to save face to the media, he likely wants out of dodge as well. I do believe the Knicks will look to move off of the disgruntled star this offseason for some young players, salary filler, and a pick as the ultimate pot sweetener.

For the Blazers, you need to surround your franchise centerpiece in Dame Time with talent in order to have a real chance to compete. They did not free up all this financial flexibility to sit and wait – make a move that threads the needle!

A possible trade could be the Blazers sending Eric Bledsoe, Anfernee Simons, and a pick for Julius Randle. Thibs gets a defensive-minded point guard in Bledsoe and point guard of the future (or an off-guard) in Simons to further develop. Portland gets Lillard a real sidekick and ultimate pick and roll partner in Randle. A win-win for all involved.

Let’s not forget about when Julius Randle was an All-Star and All-NBA second-team selection averaging 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and six assists per game on 45.6 percent from the field, 41 percent from distance, and 81 percent from the stripe.

One bad season does not define a player who would give Rip City their most talented big man since the days of prime LaMarcus Aldridge.