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NBA Trades: 3 players the Knicks should trade away

By Desmond Novack

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 10: New York Knicks players huddle before playing the Toronto Raptors in their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on December 10, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 10: New York Knicks players huddle before playing the Toronto Raptors in their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on December 10, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks, Julius Randle
Jan 6, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) gestures after making a basket against the Boston Celtics during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

NBA Trades: 3 players the Knicks should trade away – Julius Randle

While I know several Knicks fans will not agree with me on this one, you cannot look at the way Randle has played all season and confidently say that he is a player a team can build around.

And yes, I know that is not how most fans view him. But with his massive contract and the way he is utilized, it seems as if Tom Thibodeau and the front office feel that way.

In 46 games played this season, Julius Randle is averaging 18.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 3.5 turnovers, all while shooting 41.2 percent from the field and 31.1 percent from three.

Randle has been so inefficient that he reached this lovely mark:

Julius Randle’s fall off this season has been a sad one, but there are often times where he brings negativity upon himself. Look at when he gave fans at MSG a thumbs-down gesture, or when he nearly hit his teammate Evan Fournier while storming off the court angrily, or his newfound lack of effort on both sides of the floor.

While Julius Randle likely does not have a ton of value, if the Knicks can flip Randle for a point guard, it would do wonders for the teams. Kemba Walker has been extremely inconsistent all season and Derrick Rose has been out with an ankle injury.

Another reason the Knicks should trade Randle is to free up minutes for Obi Toppin, who has outplayed Randle in several games while playing fewer minutes. A good example of this is in the Knicks’ most recent game against the Cavaliers.

Randle put up 18 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and four turnovers while shooting 6-of-17 from the field and 2-of-7 from three in 32 minutes played.

In this same game, Obi Toppin played about half the minutes of Randle (15) and put up 13 points, six rebounds, and two turnovers while shooting 5-of-9 from the field and an impressive 3-of-4 from three. The fact that Obi Toppin played half the minutes of Randle and put up similar numbers is embarrassing.

While I am not entirely sold on Obi Toppin’s potential just yet, with the way Randle is playing this season, I would rather trade him for a team need and start Obi Toppin.

To put it simply, Julius Randle has been on the Knicks for three years and has been bad in two out of those three years now. If his poor play continues, the Knicks must trade him before his massive contract (4 years, $117M) becomes untradeable.

dark. Next. 3 Julius Randle trades to help the Knicks

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