I'm going to start this off by saying that I DO NOT want to trade RJ. I think he has been great for the Knicks and is such a hard worker and has steadily shown improvement year over year. He has also not been helped by his role constantly changing and an inflexible offensive coach in Thibs. He's definitely had some bad games and deserves criticism but he brings a lot to the team including his ability to draw fouls (and now his free throw percentage has improved a lot) and collapse a defense. His finishing has drastically improved as well. Many people point to him not being able to finish over players like Jokic and Embiid but if they were being honest, the only players who consistently finish over them are true superstars, which RJ is not (at least not yet, maybe not ever) but he's also not expected to be a superstar or paid like one. His defense has slipped this year but again his role in the defense changes more than almost any other player on the court which seems to be the reason for it. With that all said, here's the one RJ trade that would be remotely realistic while allowing the Knicks to improve. To the team by team breakdown!

Knicks: The big get in this trade is obviously Anunoby, a super talented two way wing who could slot right into the starting lineup in place of RJ. They also get Duarte who would be the backup SG/SF behind Grimes and Anunoby. The starting lineup would be a strong defensive lineup with Brunson-Grimes-Anunoby-Randle and Mitch and would still have plenty of offensive firepower as well. The Knicks reportedly also wanted to draft Duarte a couple years ago so despite his struggles, he'd still be a player who I think they'd like. Finally they get Hernangomez mainly to provide depth behind Randle since Obi leaves in this trade as well as Bitadze to provide depth behind Mitch and Sims since Hartenstein is leaving as well. Since RJ is the best player in the Knicks/Pacers part of the trade they receive 2 protected FRPs (and those protections could possibly be increased) as well as a second round pick originally from the Spurs.

Pacers: The Pacers have been a surprising team this year as they've looked much better than anyone expected them to be. Haliburton has been incredible, Mathurin has looked great as well and Turner has been solid as well. They have some other promising young players but none at the level of RJ. He'd instantly slot in at SG next to Haliburton and Mathurin and give them a solid young core. And for that they only have to give up draft picks which they may not hit on anyways and a couple of players who they're reportedly looking to trade or in the case of Duarte is having an underwhelming season.

Raptors: The Raptors are reportedly considering trade Anunoby this trade deadline as long as the package is good. I think this package would make them consider it as they get 3 young players (although Reddish is a bit of a non-factor at the moment) and 3 first round picks. It's definitely possible that the Knicks may have to throw in more picks, whether several second round picks or a protected FRP as well. But the Raptors get Obi who would thrive under a more creative coach (who doesn't have a bias against young players like Thibs) and Hartenstein would also give them a solid young big who could also fit in well next to someone like Siakam.

Well that's it! Sound off in the comments!