The recent injury to Randle has exposed a huge hole in the Knicks: the backup PF position. While the Knicks have held up in the 1 game and a quarter since, the game against the Heat was already won and the Hornets are even worse than they were before now that Rozier is gone. This trade gets them some space and they would hopefully be able to sign someone like Kyle Lowry in the buyout market as their backup PG.

Knicks: The Knicks need some help while Randle is out and arguably even when he's back. Randle has been great for the Knicks this year, this is not a trade to replace him. He's incredibly durable but we all saw what happened last year (and the beginning of this season) when he got hurt, he just simply isn't as effective (no one is). The Knicks need to have an option to give Randle some rest. Barnes is a versatile forward who can fill in at the 4 (and the 3 if Anunoby needs some rest too) while providing some decent offense. Now that we've gotten a better look at Achiuwa (and even Sims), it seems like the Knicks may not need a backup center but adding some frontcourt depth should still be a priority. The Knicks also need to get someone who's contract last beyond this season so it can be used in a trade and Barnes meets that qualification. He'll keep his value and can be used in the eventual star trade over the offseason. They give up a protected pick to the Bulls (via the Kings) which leaves them with plenty of ammo for the star trade. And as I said before, if the Knicks are still worried about the backup PG position, hopefully Lowry will be an option if the Hornets let him hit the buyout market.

Kings: The Kings have needed someone at backup PG to steady the ship while Fox takes a rest and they get that person in Jevon Carter. He's a hard nosed player who give it his all and while he won't be filling any highlight reels, he plays solid offense and defense and can steady the ship. They also get Patrick Williams to replace the outgoing Barnes as a 3 and D wing (more D than 3 since his offense hasn't been great). They only have to give up Barnes and a couple of second rounders to make it happen since the Knicks are the one forking out the FRP.

Bulls: This is the hardest case to make because I'm not sure how the Bulls see Williams. He's definitely not who they wanted him to be when they selected him 4th in 2021 but he's still a young player and one that will hit restricted free agency this summer. That means they may end up paying more than they want for a player who just hasn't lived up to expectations. Is a protected FRP enough to get him? They also trade away Carter but they still have other assets that can be used for far more draft capital, mainly Caruso and DeRozan.

Thoughts?