New York Knicks: 4 Goals for Julius Randle this season

New York Knicks — Julius Randle Goals: Shoot over 50% from the field

Randle averaged a career-high 24.1 points per game this past season. Surprisingly, he did so on just 45.6% shooting from the floor, the lowest mark since his first full season in the NBA. The main reason for this was a large volume of mid-range jump shots, often taken with a high degree of difficulty.

Randle’s average shot attempt distance was 7.8 feet away from the basket throughout the first six years of his career. Last season, his average shot distance was 14.5 feet away. Only 16% of Randle’s field goal attempts came at the rim this year, a career-low.

This heavily bogged down his overall field goal percentage, as he shot 59.6% in the restricted area compared to just 41.5% on mid-range jumpers.

Defenses periodically loaded up the paint against the Knicks offense, often leading to Randle forcing up shots instead of getting to the rim.

After adding playmaking upgrades in Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker in free agency, the Knicks can now use their All-Star big as a finisher instead of a shot creator.

It’s a role that Randle thrived in when he was with the New Orleans Pelicans, thanks to the playmaking of former teammate Jrue Holiday. In his lone season in Louisiana, Randle averaged 21.4 points per game on 52.4% shooting.

He finished that year in the 92nd percentile of pick & roll finishers, regularly using his large frame to bully his way to the rim with a head of steam after receiving a slick dime from Holiday.

The Knicks would be wise to let Walker and backup point guard Derrick Rose handle more of the playmaking duties and use Randle as a closer, allowing him to take full advantage of his elite ability to finish inside the paint. It would also help him bring his field goal percentage back above 50%.