Julius Randle has been heavily involved in trade rumors recently. Should the Knicks pull the trigger on a big trade?
The Julius Randle trade rumors seems to be the norm in the New York media. Ultimately, even with the All Star caliber season he is having, Knicks fans are restless and don’t believe Randle will pull through in the playoffs. Recently, according to a report by Scoop B, it looks like the Knicks may open the door for a trade involving Julius Randle.
Now, when it comes to the future, I can see the Knicks involving Randle in a trade for a potential superstar. The Knicks do have the draft capital. They also have other intriguing pieces that they can package with Randle to land a star. Also, if Randle continues to perform poorly in the playoffs, it could come to a point where they have no choice but to move him. In contrast, even though this can be the case, the timing of a potential trade is everything. Which is why I believe that trading Julius Randle at this point of the season would be ridiculous.
On Fire
The way Julius Randle has played the past couple months is something that can’t be ignored. That would be difficult to replace.
December was arguably the best month Julius Randle had since joining the Knicks. He didn’t have a game where he scored under 20 points while managing to shoot nearly 55% from the field. In continuation, Randle this month is currently averaging 27 PPG and 7.4 RPG while shooting around 48 % from the field.
In the end, I understand that it’s the regular season. But trading him away at this point in the season while he is performing like this wouldn’t be a smart move. It would be a drastic move that doesn’t need to be made at this time. Unless you are getting a superstar player in return, which is unlikely at the moment.
What’s Out There?
Previously, it was rumored that the Knicks were trying to package Julius Randle in a trade for Joel Embiid just a few months ago. Now, with the MVP season Embiid is having mixed with the 76ers still being one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, it’s unlikely that this trade will happen. The emergence of 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey has given Embiid a number two option after the James Harden trade. The chemistry and success that Embiid and Maxey have had gives the Knicks no chance in acquiring him in a trade this season and potentially ever.
Recently, reports came out about a potential trade for Timberwolves C Karl-Anthony Towns. But the Knicks weren’t willing to give up Mitchell Robinson. In the future, there’s a chance that Julius Randle can be packaged in a trade for Towns but the initial offer didn’t involve Randle.
As you look at the landscape of the NBA, teams are either trying to add talent to their rosters for a playoff push or acquire draft picks. If the Knicks can’t get a superstar player while packaging Julius Randle in a trade (which seems to be the case at the moment), there’s really no point in trading him before the deadline. This would set the team back more than it would help them.
Should he stay, or should he go?
In the past, Knicks fans and NY media have been critical of Julius Randle, which, in some cases, is understandable. In contrast, this shouldn’t be the reason to make any major moves at this point of the season. Randle is playing at an All NBA level right now and the team has been successful lately because of it. Any deal involving Julius Randle should be held off and evaluated after the conclusion of this season. Instead, the Knicks should find ways to add pieces to this team that can help them make a run in the postseason. Let’s see what this team can really do with another key contributor.
Julius Randle has a lot to prove for the rest of the season. The Knicks should give him the chance to prove it based on how good he’s been performing. It’s the fair thing to do.
Notable Weekend Game
Knicks vs Raptors this Saturday at MSG ( The return of R.J Barrett and Immanuel Quickley)
