Julius Randle just Unfollowed the NY Knicks on Instagram

Julius Randle Just unfollowed the NY Knicks on Instagram and took “New York Knicks” out of his Twitter bio.

Maybe I’m reading into this too much, but it seems like the Randle era in New York is coming to a close earlier than expected.

Randle and Sacramento Kings’ guard De’Aaron Fox have been linked to each other for a potential trade swap, given New York would probably have to give more than just Randle.

Are we looking too much into Julius Randle unfollowing the NY Knicks?

Something else to note is that Fox has also unfollowed the Sacramento Kings on Instagram at a similar time. Peculiar…

Randle has had quite the dropoff before unfollowing the Knicks on Instagram.

Though I think part of Randle’s play is his being overworked by coach Thibodeau, it is also clear he has lost his confidence.

It’s also important to note that Brian Windhorst mentioned that Randle and Thibs have been at odds to some degree, which Jonathan Macri said on Twitter as the first we’ve heard of this.

The Knicks have been showing a willingness to trade veterans, and it looks more and more likely that the guy who carried the team last year will be on his way out.

The team is in a difficult position, sitting at 12th in the eastern conference, but are only 1.5 games back from the play-in tournament. They can still turn their season around and return to the playoffs, but it starts with Randle.

Randle hesitates to shoot shots that he made with ease last year.

He looks disengaged, sometimes sitting at the end of the bench, and recently had a fan ejected in Miami after telling Randle that his plus-minus on the night was -34.

Now, Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis, the Knicks’ two most recent big-name stars after Randle, both had similar moments and were both traded.

Melo was in New York for 7 years, however, and at points, he also would clap back at fans from time to time.

Randle was incredible last season before a rough playoff series.

It feels like a mix of being heavily overused by Thibs mixed with Randle getting in his head about last season has been an unhealthy mix for his relationship with the Knicks.

I personally do not want to see the Knicks just give Randle away.

He’s the guy who revived Knicks basketball in Carmelo-esque fashion, and even people who hate Randle and deny that know it’s true.

If the Knicks can find a good trade to move Randle, it might be best for both sides to move on from something that was almost great.