The New York Knicks have a tough decision to make with big man Julius Randle. Do they hand him a lucrative contract extension? Or do they move him? Randle became eligible for a new deal this NBA offseason, and it’s creating quite the conundrum in the Big Apple.
Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus has proposed a three-team trade involving the Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards where the Knicks trade Randle to the Hornets.
In return, New York would receive Grant Williams, Nick Richards, a $15.9 million trade exception from Randle and a $2.1 million trade exception from Jericho Sims, who the Knicks would also move in this deal.
That may not seem like a hefty return for Randle, but he turns 30 years old in November and is entering the final year of his contract. Plus, while Randle is talented, he is a very specific fit and may not have extraordinary value to a lot of teams around the league.
NBA RUMORS & NEWS: New York Knicks Updates
Randle is coming off of an injury-shortened 2023-24 campaign in which he played 46 games and averaged 24 points, 9.2 rebounds and five assists over 35.4 minutes a night on 47.2/31.1/78.1 shooting splits.
The University of Kentucky product underwent season-ending shoulder injury, so that may be another reason why his trade value may not exactly be sky high.
Will the New York Knicks trade Julius Randle?
For the last couple of seasons, there has been speculation that the Knicks could move Randle, but nothing has come to fruition up until this point.
However, now, things may be coming to a head.
With the new NBA salary cap rules, New York may have a difficult time fitting Randle into its financial situation, particularly if he is looking for a max deal.
Plus, the Knicks displayed they can contend without Randle, coming to within one win of the Eastern Conference Finals last spring, and that was with a plethora of other injuries plaguing the roster.
New York is short on big men after losing Isaiah Hartenstein to free agency, but the seven-foot Richards would certainly address that issue. Williams is a versatile power forward, as well.
NBA RUMORS & NEWS: New York Knicks Updates
Randle’s defensive deficiencies present an issue at times, which is another reason why the three-time All-Star may be expendable.
Of course, the New York Knicks may want to see what a full season of Julius Randle looks like with their current roster, so they may want to take their chances with him in the 2024-25 campaign.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
Interested in reading the latest storylines and analysis in the NFL? Check out our partner NFL Analysis Network.
