While Knicks forward Julius Randle has been viewed as a potential trade candidate for most of the last year, Ian Begley of SNY.tv (video link) says there “prominent members” of the organization that view Randle as part of the team’s young core going forward.
Having said that, Begley notes that the Knicks will still probably explore possible trades for Randle before this year’s deadline, if only to gauge his value around the league. Based on Begley’s report, it sounds like the team is more likely to consider incoming inquiries on the 26-year-old than to actively shop him themselves.
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- RJ Barrett‘s role is worth keeping an eye on, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post, who observes that the second-year forward has logged 27 or more minutes just once in the Knicks’ last six games after leading the league in minutes played earlier in the season. Asked about Barrett’s dip in playing time, head coach Tom Thibodeau cited New York’s depth and a need to try different lineup combinations when the team falls behind early, as it did vs. Orlando on Wednesday.
- While Barrett continues to start and play a rotation role, that’s not the case for another former Knicks lottery pick — Frank Ntilikina hasn’t appeared in a game since December 29. According to Berman, Ntilikina is still working on his conditioning after spending a week in the health and safety protocols, but isn’t a great bet to return to the rotation even when he’s back to full speed, as he appears to be “mostly trade bait” at this point.
- Given the Knicks’ need for star power, Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic considers 42 potential targets around the league, beginning with the presumably untouchable stars before moving onto some impact players who could be more realistic options, including Zach LaVine and Kyle Lowry.
Randle could be a forward for the Cavs, there are already talks of Drummond trades, so there could be a potential there.
No shot
Possible
Drummond for Randle? Are you on meth?
Your rival in letters, MiamiFan, says they had a playmaking PF too, but they moved him to center, so they could use another now also. Adebayo would be okay with it because they recently max-extended him.
Randle for Iguodala + Robinson (or Nunn), both due to get paid, or Iggy + Silva or Okpala (2yrs left) will have Miami back in the finals! Or Olynyk + Herro or Harkless. All Heat have come down in value.
I can’t imagine the Knicks would even consider Iguodala and Robinson (or Nunn). Although I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic.
Well I did say it would put Miami ahead!
How long ago was it that Houston was trying to get Robinson & picks for Harden and Miami was not interested. Can’t give away good young players, and they had a thing going, word was. Now everyone’s off there and they could use a PG!
Not sure how valuable Randle is considered… doesn’t seem to be that popular in NY except what he could be traded for.
It will be frank draft picks Bullock and or Burks randle for Drummond makes no sense.
Ha ha. Knicks aren’t trading Randle for that
Ha ha. Knicks aren’t trading Randle for that
Let’s not kid ourselves, the Knicks will move Randle if the price is right. Toppin wasn’t drafted to fail, and I’m sure this is management pushing out that message to raise the price. He’s got an attractive contract next year, so I’m sure he’s going to garner some interest.
As for RJ, I wouldn’t be surprised if management hinted for Thibs to pump the breaks in his minutes. No need to kill the kid off the team isn’t ready to challenge a deep playoff run. Thibs’ reputation and historical use I’m sure caught their attention.
Agree on RJ
IDK about Randle. Given the Rose trade and the general demeanor of Thibs I don’t think they pull the plug on their best player unless they really get a great offer.
Plus it seems like Randle is a really tough player to assign a value to right now.
Reason for a possible Randle move – not a good defensive player. While I love his hustle (seems to always be on offense though), he doesn’t always make the smart decision. Think he’s getting better, but still. And if they snatched a #1 pick for Morris (essentially Quickley) last year, I can’t see them not getting a mid first round pick for a player at an all-star level with one more year of control at 18M. Opens the door for Toppin, who ‘is’ part of the current regime. Imagine Dallas entering the fold, for example and sending a pick and perhaps lifting the protection on the other pick the Knicks own in 2023. Knicks take back expiring contracts.
Randle could net a player of equal value & a 1st. Hardly worth trading when he is playing so well. The only real way to get that value is to hang on to him in the long-short term.
Why would the Knicks trade Randle as of today they are in the playoffs a trade to Cleveland for Drummond would be NUTS he’s a better player than Drummond I just can’t understand why when he’s leading this team to the playoffs they would trade him
I agree. It would be one thing if he’s having a career year and they’re 6-18 like WAS. But the Knicks haven’t been in the playoffs since ****2013****.
I mean damn, let’s get a solid first round exit if we can. Unless an absolute godfather offers comes thru, which I don’t see happening bc Randle has no real track record of playing at this level
So I was wrong when I said that Quickley would lose minutes as a result of the Derrick Rose trade. Quickley’s minutes have been pretty steady.
It’s RJ Barrett that’s losing minutes to Derrick Rose.
I’m sure that’s in the team’s best interests going forward…
Barrett is not losing minutes to Rose. If you actually watched the games, you’d see that Thibs is just using weird lineups and resting Barrett for whatever reason. Last night, he gave extended minutes to Alec Burks, who was playing poorly, in the fourth quarter while Rose and Barrett sat on the bench.
But these weird lineups started after Rose arrived, correct?
To be fair, I’m not sure playing RJ 38mpg is in their best interest either
I do think playoff exp matters and getting a 6-8 seed and getting RJ, Mitch, Toppin and Quick some playoff run time is something I support, even if, yes, sometimes I’d like to see a little more of Quick and Obi
Bagley and Bjelica for Randle. Kings get less soft and Bagley gets to start over. Knicks get a big with a ton of potential and a shooter.
As a Knicks fan I hope not. I just don’t think Bagley has that high of a ceiling and at this point I’m starting to believe Randle’s jump is legit
Problem for the Knicks is Randle has been by far their best player this season and it seems like with the addition of Rose they want a shot at the postseason. If you move Randle for pieces this team free falls
Agreed, but reality is they aren’t going to go far if they make it. I’d roll the dice on a trade like that – Bagley could turn it around in a new environment. Anyone not named Fox has suffered there. I liked Bagley’s game at Duke, think he could do more if given the right opportunity and guidance.
Barrett’s minute reduction is all in the second half of the 4th Qtr of games, and all about the need to surround Randle with perimeter shooters down the stretch of games. Versus another scorer/facilitator who needs the lane himself. Not about rest of load management, or subtle messaging. Just a HC doing his job. Just because it’s rare to see in the NBA doesn’t make it mysterious.
Knicks to trade for Rubio???
Knicks should think bigger picture with randle and trade him if they can make it worth their while like the clippers did with Tobias Harris
Knicks are in a solid position and should play top of hill in trading game –
Any trade they dont like they can be comfortable saying No, any overpay can be justified in taking- They can make small trades, medium trades and even grand scale trades if need be with added cap space at there disposal …Their phones should be busy the next 35 days but that doesnt mean activity is a must
Id take a hard look at accruing younger players if possible and not just draft picks; they have enough picks already
Just making this up, but Randle for Porzingis? That would be ironic.
That would never happen. Rose is not stupid