Knicks Rumors: Julius Randle could be available at trade deadline

This New York Knicks team hasn’t been able to escape from unabating turmoil all season long and it looks as though they could be weighing some serious potential changes ahead of the trade deadline.

According to a recent report from SNY’s Ian Begley, Julius Randle could be available in a trade for the “right return”.

While the franchise seemed ready to make Randle a key part of the team’s future after signing him to a max contract this offseason, his performance so far this season has done a to of damage to his long-term future with the team.

Knicks Rumors: How likely is it that Randle is gone?

It’s a very bizarre situation right now in New York.

A few days ago, I wrote an extensive ramble about the current state of the team. How it goes way beyond just one player — it really comes down to a major miscalculation by this front office that the team could merely “run it back” with a few new shot creators who ended up being poor fit’s for the team’s brand of basketball that gave them success last season.

It’s all a mess, but make no mistake, Julius Randle is a huge part of that mess.

Randle has not only shot the ball poorly but he’s looked disengaged and both his leadership and words off the court have been the opposite of what he showed last season.

You what maybe the worst part of this? It’s that Randle himself isn’t speaking on it or simply saying “I need to do better”.

Is a Randle trade likely at the deadline?

I don’t think it’s very likely, but I wouldn’t rule it out this offseason.

Anyone who has watched the NBA  knows that “disgruntled star” player situations can take a long time to unfold.

Trading Julius Randle wasn’t in the Knicks’ plans until at most, a few weeks ago, so It’s hard to see this prudent front office just getting rid of him for whatever the first offer is.

Still, aside from Randle, there could be some other veterans moved at the deadline with hopes that they can free up some playing time for younger players and get more consistent rotations going.