How the New York Knicks can repair the relationship between Julius Randle and the fans

There is a growing sentiment around the league that Julius Randle is looking to part ways with the New York Knicks organization as soon as possible. Marc Berman of the New York Post stated on March 29th that multiple people within league circles believe Randle wants to be traded because he is exhibiting James Harden-type behavior.

Randle’s potential desire to leave New York stems from a decline in statistical performance. He has seen a dramatic decrease in three-point shooting this season. He is shooting 30.8 percent on 5.4 attempts per game, a 10.3 percent decrease from last season.

The three-point shooting inefficiency has dragged down his field goal percentage, as threes account for 31.3 percent of his shots. Randle is shooting 41.1 percent on 17.3 shots per game, a 4.5 percent decrease from last season. These factors have impacted his scoring output averaging 20.1 points per game, a 16.6 percent decrease.

Randle’s’ statistical drop-off has caused the fanbase to temporarily turn on him, which is the source of Randle potentially wanting to leave town. However, the team is unlikely to trade him this season as his trade value has diminished.

Fred Katz of The Athletic (subscription required) spoke to multiple front office people who stated that Randle’s trade value ranges from neutral to negative. Some executives said the team would have to attach a first-round pick to trade him. Although Randle’s trade value is nonexistent right now, the organization can change his perception within the fanbase with one transaction.

The New York Knicks can help Julius Randle repair his relationship with the fanbase by acquiring a three-point shooting center

He has spent many offensive possessions behind the arc during the past two seasons under Tom Thibodeau. Julius Randle has spent over 20.7 percent of his possessions spotting up, averaging 4.9 per game.

Unfortunately, Randle doesn’t have a good track record in that role, shooting 38.7 percent since 2015 on 2.7 attempts per game. Some of those spot-ups have been three-pointers. 30.3 percent of his shots have come from behind the arc averaging 5.45 per game. He has struggled to be an above-average performer, shooting 33.2 percent since 2015 on 2.6 shots per game.

Thibodeau has used Randle as a floor spacer because the team runs offensive sets with a ball-handler and front-court player inside the arc surrounded by three shooters. Unfortunately, the team doesn’t have a center who is at least a below-average shooter from behind the arc.

Mitchell Robinson, Jericho Sims, and Taj Gibson have career three-point percentages below 26 percent on a maximum of 0.2 attempts per game. Knick centers are most effective in the restricted area, shooting over 55 percent on a minimum of 1 shot per game.

The skillset of Knicks centers interferes with Randle’s effectiveness, as he is more efficient inside the arc. He has shot 50.7 percent inside the arc since 2015 on 11.3 attempts per game. Unfortunately, Randle has only taken 68.7 percent of his shots inside the arc this season.

More importantly, his effectiveness increases when he gets close to the basket. He has shot over 61 percent in the restricted area since 2015 on 5.8 attempts per game. Consequently, if the team can acquire a three-point shooting center, Randle can increase his offensive possessions around the basket.

New York Knicks do not have the money to pursue a three-point shooting center in free agency  this offseason. They are currently  slated to have $3.84 million in cap space this summer. Therefore, they will have to  target centers who are inexpensive or available via sign and trade, with two potential options being Mo. Bamba or Serge Ibaka.

Both players have averaged at least 2.7 threes per game over the last three seasons. They are shooting over 35 percent in those seasons. This three-point shooting experience means they can spend most of their offensive possessions behind the arc.

Consequently, it opens the door for Julius Randle to be the front-court player inside the arc, where he is more effective. If the Knicks acquire a three-point shooting center, fans will view Randle positively, because he will be allowed to play to his strengths more.