The New York Knicks were a win away from the Eastern Conference Finals despite playing without three-time All-Star Julius Randle, who was out with a shoulder injury.

Since their Game 7 loss to the Indiana Pacers, the Knicks added Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets and should have a healthy OG Anunoby (hamstring), who just re-signed to a five-year, $212.5 million contract. However, Randle, who has a player option for 2025-26 and is extension-eligible, may not financially fit within the Knicks' long-term plans.

Per ESPN's Brian Windhorst on The Hoop Collective, Randle is "extraordinarily tradable."

The Knicks also lost Isaiah Hartenstein, who played himself into a three-year, $87 million contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Given Mitchell Robinson's inability to stay consistently healthy, New York may have an unmet need at center.

Perhaps the following is a solution to help Randle relocate to a team that is more ready to pay him—like the Charlotte Hornets (with some help from the Washington Wizards)—while adding to the Knicks' front line and lowering payroll.

Full Trade Scenario

Knicks get:

• Grant Williams (from Hornets)
• Nick Richards (from Hornets)
• $15.9 million trade exception (Randle)
• $2.1 million trade exception (Jericho Sims)

Hornets get:

• Julius Randle (from Knicks)
• Jericho Sims (from Knicks)
• Corey Kispert (from Wizards)
• Marvin Bagley III (from Wizards)

Wizards get:

• Josh Green (from Hornets)
• Cody Martin (from Hornets)
• 2025 Wizards protected first-rounder (from Knicks)
• 2025 Detroit Pistons protected first-rounder (from Knicks)

Note: Timing is complex under the new rules on preexisting trade exceptions for teams above the first apron ($178.1 million). The Knicks should be able to use the RJ Barrett trade exception to take in Richards since they're finishing the deal below the apron. If the league's interpretation of the rule doesn't match, the Randle trade exception would be reduced by $5 million.

The Wizards get their own first back, which is currently protected top-10 in 2025 and top-8 in 2026; otherwise, it conveys as second-rounders in 2026 and 2027. The Pistons' first is protected top-13 in 2025, top-11 in 2026 and top-9 in 2027; otherwise, it will be a 2027 second.

Why the New York Knicks Do It

The Knicks grew into a playoff team with Randle, but the team's identity has evolved. Randle isn't near the tier of LeBron James, but their games have similarities as big, strong, physical shot creators. With the emergence of the Villanova Knicks (Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart and now Bridges), Randle is an expensive ball-stopper that just doesn't fit anymore.

Williams, almost 26, is listed as 6'6", 236 lbs.—Randle (nearly 30) is 6'8", 260—but Williams has more experience as a role player with his time in Boston with the Celtics (and briefly in Dallas with the Mavericks). Williams is the better defender and shooter of the two, with a career three-point percentage of 37.7 percent (Randle's is 33.3 percent). While Williams isn't traditionally tall, he plays bigger (capable at either forward position, but probably best at power forward).

More importantly, Williams has a team-friendly contract for the next three years ($40.9 million), and the Knicks address a significant issue with the loss of Hartenstein in Richards. The backup center is listed at 7'0" and is under contract for two years ($10 million, second-year non-guaranteed).

The Knicks go from over the first apron facing a $13.4 million luxury-tax penalty to entirely under the tax threshold ($170.8 million). The two "firsts" given up aren't likely to convey as such—it's really three second-rounders, along with losing Sims, who would be behind Precious Achiuwa, Robinson and Richards in the rotation.

Why the Charlotte Hornets Do It

The Hornets recently traded for Green from the Mavericks, an opportunistic move generated by Klay Thompson's decision to join Dallas via sign-and-trade. Giving up on him before he plays a game in Charlotte may seem odd, but the opportunity to add an All-Star in Randle is rare for a team like the Hornets.

For such a low price (Martin, Richards and Green), Charlotte gets Randle, Kispert, Bagley and Sims. As much as teams have their eye on the 2025 lottery and Duke's Cooper Flagg, the Hornets don't want their season to be a complete trainwreck.

Very few teams will have cap space next summer, meaning the Hornets would have leverage in negotiating an extension with Randle. If they can come to terms, the team's combination of physical forwards with Miles Bridges and Randle would be a lot for opponents to handle. Along with LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams, the franchise adds a shooting wing in Kispert, who hit 52.4 percent from three-point range in 2022-23.

Kispert is up for an extension this summer, one the Hornets should be able to negotiate at a team-friendly price. Bagley, the No.2 overall pick in 2018, is still just 25. The Hornets add three bigs while swapping out Green for Kispert. Losing Martin, who is almost 29, shouldn't be significant, given his career average of 31.7 percent from three.

All that without giving up any draft capital, too.

Why the Washington Wizards Do It

Washington hired Michael Winger to head its front office in May 2023. Kispert was drafted in 2021, and historically, executives are less loyal to players they didn't select (see Deni Avdija, recently sent to the Portland Trail Blazers).

If the Wizards aren't going to pay Kispert, getting value back in trade should be the priority. They clean up their draft table with their first-round pick back in 2025 (freeing up 2026, the Stepien Rule block on 2027 and 2026/27 second-rounders). The Detroit first may eventually end up as a second, but at least Washington has a few years to see if new leadership (Trajan Langdon) will push the Pistons in a better direction.

The team loses Bagley, but it drafted Alex Sarr with the No. 2 overall pick and acquired Jonas Valančiūnas via sign-and-trade. Beyond the draft capital, the upside is two friendly contracts in Green and Martin.

At three years, $41 million, Green (almost 24) can develop into a core piece or be re-traded for value. Martin's $16.8 million is non-guaranteed next season at $8.7 million.

The Wizards are in a period of asset and talent accumulation. Profiting off helping the Knicks send Randle to the Hornets is an easy win, especially if Kispert isn't in the long-term plans.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on X/Twitter @EricPincus.