New York Knicks forward Julius Randle is seeing an increase in trade value as he is having a quiet bounce-back season so far this year.
With the Knicks reeling at a slow 8-9 start, New York will certainly look to be moving pieces around to improve the roster both now and for future seasons.
Randle, currently in his fourth season with the Knicks, is averaging 20/8/3 while shooting 46.1% from the field (his highest since 2018-19 with the Pelicans) and 33.3% from 3 (10th in the NBA among Power Forwards with at least 30 MPG).
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The New York Knicks could sell high on Julius Randle:
After having a down year efficiency-wise last season, many fans speculated that Randle could be on his way out of New York in favor of playing backup forward Obi Toppin more. The Knicks have given no indication that Randle is off the table in any trade talks, and with his value going up, New York has a real possibility of moving the 2021 All-Star to acquire the superstar talent they have been craving so long for.
The addition of Jalen Brunson in the offseason no longer made Randle the main option on the Knicks, and one league executive suggests that Randle is becoming an attractive trade target due to his performance with the decreased pressure this season.
“They’re better now (trade value) because they have taken the ball out of his hands more, he has less pressure on him,” an executive told Sean Deveney of Heavy. “He can worry about rebounding and shooting. He does not have to worry about everything.”
NBA exec on Julius Randle’s trade value via Heavy
Randle has been able to come into his own more this season without having to be the primary ball handler. He’s looked excellent attacking the basket off of pick and rolls and creating mismatches down low, with 48.2% of his 2-point FGs being scored assisted, which is by far his highest percentage in that category as a Knick.
He has also been much more aggressive on the offensive glass this season, averaging 2.5 offensive rebounds per game, which would be a new a career-high and the most since his first season with the Knicks back in 2019.
He has also shown the capability of being a high-octane scorer, especially from outside, as in six of the 17 games this season, Randle has knocked down at least three 3-pointers and has scored at least 20 points in five of his last seven games.
On November 7th against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Randle exploded for 31 points and an incredibly efficient 8-for-13 showing from 3-point distance, a dominating performance on the offensive end.
On November 16th against the Denver Nuggets, Randle showed off his capabilities on both ends of the floor, recording 34 points and four steals (3 in the 4th quarter) to pull of a gutsy win on the road.
All of these things are green lights that other teams see in Randle, and some may feel more enticed to pursue the 2021 Most Improved Player if he fits their needs.
Some teams that have been heavily linked to the veteran forward are the Miami Heat and the Charlotte Hornets. Teams that are decimated at the Power Forward position and could use an aggressive, offensive piece like Randle to compliment their other pieces.
Could Randle be on the move soon? Possibly. If the Knicks are looking to get a top-notch return, they should consider it while his value is ascending before it hits a decline.
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