Knicks Trade Rumors: Pros and cons of trading for Julius Randle

Con: Erratic Shooting

For as dynamic as Julius Randle’s skill set may be, there’s one area in which he continues to struggle: Shooting. He’s solid enough at the free throw line to make slight tweaks and become a high-level marksman, but that hasn’t translated to the rest of his game.

Randle doesn’t need to be an elite shooter, but he must be able to at least knock down open jump shots—something he’s currently unable to do.

Randle has improved the efficiency with which he shoots in each of the past three seasons. His field goal percentage has risen from .429 to .488 to .555, including marks of .436 to .507 to .591 on two-point field goal attempts.

For as intriguing as that is, Randle has failed to expand his range to beyond the arc during his brief NBA career—a trait he must soon develop.

Through three completed seasons and 177 games played overall, Randle is a career 26.5 percent shooter from distance. He’s converted just 31 three-point field goals during that time, and hasn’t been much much better from midrange.

Randle doesn’t need to be Ryan Anderson, but he must become something of a threat from beyond the arc—even if Kristaps Porzingis would alleviate pressure with the New York Knicks.