It works from a financial standpoint because the two second-apron teams involved (Minnesota and Milwaukee) shed salary, while the Pistons (who have plenty of cap space) take on Randle, the most expensive player in the deal.

As of right now, the Pistons would keep their pick, as it would likely fall in the top-12, but those odds change with each win or loss and Detroit is just 1.5 games back from the 6th seed with games against the Hawks, Magic and Pacers coming up.

The Minnesota Timberwolves traded Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks before the season, and so far, it looks like New York won the trade. KAT has been excellent for the Knicks; he was just named an All-Star starter in the Eastern Conference alongside Jalen Brunson.

The NBA trade deadline is less than two weeks away and Timberwolves forward Julius ... the Pistons. NBA personality Bill Simmons proposed a three-team deal that would send Randle to Detroit ...

What has become clear under the new CBA is that having a max player who isn’t a superstar or doesn’t play much is the fast track to destroying your team. Ask the 76ers. Ask the Suns, who are desperate for Jimmy Butler but need someone to take one of their onerous contracts to pull it off.

Keep an eye on Minnesota in a Butler deal. In the offseason, the Heat were one of the teams that expressed interest in trading for Julius Randle, per SNY sources. Randle has remained on the

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle could be part of an eventual trade involving Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler. Randle drew Miami's interest

James Harden (24), Norman Powell (23) and Ivica Zubac (25) all scored 20+ points in the loss, snapping LA’s two-game win streak. Kawhi Leonard played a season-high 28 minutes and finished with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block.

The New York Knicks underwent a massive roster overhaul this season, retaining only five players from last year. While some departures have benefited both sides, others have left former Knicks struggling to find their footing. Here's a look at three players whose transitions haven't gone as planned and one who’s thriving in their new role.

If a team is  somewhere in the middle, it better have a clear direction because floundering around play-in territory is the NBA’s version of purgatory.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Anthony Davis had 42 points and 23 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers used a huge first quarter from the All-Star center to build a 23-point lead before beating the Charlotte Hornets 112-107 on Monday night for their fourth straight win.