Trade Deadline: Knicks 'Covet' Rockets' Tari Eason; Julius Randle Replacement?

Second-year Houston Rocket Tari Eason is reportedly on the New York Knicks' trade deadline radar as they continue to search for a plug to the Julius Randle-shaped hole in their lineup.

Houston, we have a ... solution?

The New York Knicks are in the orbit of the Eastern Conference's elite thanks to 14 wins in January but the loss of two-time All-Star Julius Randle looms large. Randle was lost to a dislocated shoulder in one of the latest entries of an active eight-game winning streak on Saturday. 

While Randle is reportedly said to be out for "weeks" rather than months, the Knicks are paying the price for their offseason inaction. The team failed to find a new backup power forward after trading Obi Toppin to the Indiana Pacers, mostly depending on Josh Hart, despite his insistence that his talents are best used in the backcourt.

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That could lead the Knicks to make contact with the Houston Rockets if they choose to part ways with Tari Eason. A report from David Vertsberger claims that the second-year man is rising up the Knicks' wishlist, especially in the wake of the Randle news.

New York reportedly covets Tari Eason, but that might take a one-for-one with Grimes, leaving them thin at the guard position," Vertsberger said. "However, they could pair that with an Evan Fournier trade to upgrade the backcourt, filling all the holes. Whatever short-term measures the Knicks employ, it won’t make up for losing a perennial All-NBA talent. The best they can do is tread water until he returns. Luckily, they should have the depth to pull it off."

Though he has shown flashes of talent over his year-plus in the NBA, Eason is dealing with his own medical woes: the 17th pick of the 2022 draft has played just one game in the new calendar year, as he's been sidelined by a stress fracture sustained over the preseason. Eason appeared in all 82 games (the only first-year man to do so) last season and was granted a second-team All-Rookie nomination after averaging 9.3 points and 6.0 rebounds. 

Grimes Staying 'Professional' Amid Trade Rumors

While Eason may be the post prospect with the most upside for both now and later, the Knicks are probably better off screening Houston's calls. Even with Grimes' diminished role, he's far too valuable to be cast off for a medical question mark especially when several pepper the Knicks' roster as is. The only way the Knicks should truly keep their eyes on Eason is through scouting for their Feb. 12 contest in Houston, their penultimate game before the All-Star break in Indianapolis.

In the meantime, the Knicks face the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).