Knicks Considering Trade for D'Angelo Russell a Few Months After Choosing Not to Sign D'Angelo Russell

You remember D'Angelo Russell, don't you?

Came of age as a Laker, busted out of his shell as the leader of the 2018-19 Brooklyn Nets, somehow got exiled to Golden State in favor of Kyrie Irving this offseason, only to see the five-times-consecutive finalists fall off a cliff? Good player, always thought he was going to unite with Karl-Anthony Towns but never did? Yeah, that guy.

Anyway, last summer, coming off an All-Star trip, Russell became a restricted free agent, and one the Brooklyn Nets had no real intention of retaining. He was very much available, and due to the particulars of his status, became part of the sign-and-trade that BK pulled for Kevin Durant. The New York Knicks, flush with ample cap space, could certainly have taken on Russell, too, and made him the scoring centerpiece of a young team. They chose not to.

Well, funny story about that...now, they're...into it!

Great.

As for the basketball fit here, it still makes sense for the team that calls the Mecca home. They haven't had an electric point guard in decades, and had an opportunity to land one last free agency cycle by plopping down cash for Russell. Instead, they signed 17 power forwards in the first eight minutes of free agency, and now plan to give up well-hoarded assets for Russell instead of cold, hard cash.

The Knicks like making splashes, but they absolutely, positively should've made this splash months ago if they had any intention to do so. Keep Mitchell Robinson, keep RJ Barrett, keep the picks you got for Kristaps Porzingis. Don't overthink this.