NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype said on his podcast that members of the New York Knicks’ brass “value” power forward Julius Randle’s “toughness and his ability to stay on the court.”
The two-time All-Star played in 77 games this season and 72 in 2021-22.
“In talking with Knicks brass in the front office, they value his toughness and his ability to stay on the court,” Scotto said. “He’s played 71 or more games in three consecutive seasons and been an All-Star two of the past three seasons, which is something I think is notable in the load management era.”
Randle averaged 25.1 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists this season while shooting 45.9% from the field and 34.3% from beyond the arc. He helped the Knicks win 47 games and their first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Julius Randle & New York Knicks Updates
However, Randle struggled in the conference semifinals versus the Miami Heat, so much so that some people around the NBA believe the lefty should be traded. Nevertheless, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News and Ian Begley of SNY — two reporters who cover the Knicks — don’t believe Randle will be traded this summer.
“In terms of listening to trade offers, I’m sure they’re going to listen to whatever is told to them this offseason, but I don’t think there’s going to be a situation where they hear something and say that’s something we’ve got to pull the trigger on with Randle,” Bondy told Scotto.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Julius Randle & New York Knicks Updates
Added Begley: “I think it’s only going to happen if he’s part of a package where you’re bringing in a top player that’s head and shoulders above Randle. … To do anything just to get him off the roster that’s not going to happen unless someone else takes over the team because they value Julius. There’s a personal connection with Julius, William Wesley, and Leon Rose. I don’t see them discarding him because of what happened in the postseason.”
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