Boston Celtics: Assessing every Knicks target in a Gordon Hayward sign-and-trade

Julius Randle

Julius Randle’s contract makes him the best match for salary purposes with Hayward.

That does not mean that the Boston Celtics should pursue him in any manner.

Randle’s game is somewhat antiquated given his lack of reliable 3-point shooting, and even having to foot the bill on a partial guarantee next season would be a poor use of potential luxury tax spending.

Randle is an aggressive finisher that can rebound and be bolstered by a pass-first lead-guard/forward…think a LeBron James type in Los Angeles or a Luka Doncic in Dallas. Boston’s ball movement would be hindered by a player who tends to be a ball-stopper.

Kevin Knox

For the second slide in a row, I’m gonna start off with the bad news and segue to the good. Kevin Knox would be a great addition for the Cs if they could somehow pry him from New York.

That could be conceivable if there were multiple sign-and-trade offers on the table across the league. Knox would be the piece to get New York over the top.

Mitchell Robinson

Mitchell Robinson would be the ideal trade target from New York. A shot-blocker and lob-finisher extraordinaire, Robinson singlehandedly shifts a defense with his presence. Opposing teams need to cerebrally attack the rim with big Mitch patrolling the paint.

He simply isn’t a realistic grab in a sign-and-trade.

Ignas Brazdeikis

There is not a single conceivable reason we can think of as to why “Iggy” belongs in green and white.