Daily Knicks
Fansided

New York Knicks: Offseason predictions for the young core

By Yash Shrivastava

MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 20: The New York Knicks huddle against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena on December 20, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 20: The New York Knicks huddle against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena on December 20, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) /

Player: Julius Randle

2019-20 Season Statistics: 19.5 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 3.1 APG, 46.0 FG%, 27.7 3P%

Prediction: Traded

Julius Randle is under contract for next season and has a team option for the 2021-22 NBA season. At the age of 25, Julius Randle is still relatively young and is just entering his prime.

Yet, it seems likely that the New York Knicks move on from Randle after only one year. President Leon Rose is reportedly open to trading Julius Randle despite Randle being a former CAA client, per Marc Berman of The New York Post.

The Knicks also had internal support for a deal that would send him and Dennis Smith Jr to Charlotte at the trade deadline, according to SNY’s Ian Begley.

Although Randle’s stats look impressive, his style of play doesn’t fit with the Knicks.

Randle has often been a ball-stopper on offense and has irked teammates with his reluctance to pass the ball and over-dribbling. Despite averaging three assists per game, Randle would typically resort to playing iso ball, where the ball would rarely leave his hands.

He was 27th in the league in usage rate at 27.6 percent,, and he averaged three turnovers a game.

Randle’s three-point shooting has also been a significant concern as he attempted a career-high 3.6 threes per game while shooting a meager 27.7 percent from beyond the arc. Randle also struggles significantly on the defensive side of the ball, leaving shooters open at crucial times and not being much of a defensive threat on the low block.

His defensive rotations aren’t consistent, and he isn’t much of a rim protector.

His tendency to play iso ball only hurts the development of the Knicks’ young core. If Leon Rose is serious about building around RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson, Randle will be placed on the trading block this offseason.

Randle’s tunnel vision approach on offense and low motor on the defensive side of the ball aren’t setting the best example for the team’s young core of players.

Randle would be best suited on a veteran roster where he can be a focal point on offense while his teammates mask his defensive liabilities.

Expect team president Leon Rose to revisit trade talks involving Randle this offseason.

Home/Knicks News