New York Knicks star Julius Randle is arguably the team's second-best player, but he has seemingly become an afterthought after the team's stellar offseason. That has led to increased speculation about his future with the Knicks, especially with him up for an extension this summer but apparently little progress made on that front.
Former NBA player Pat Beverly recently weighed in on the Randle situation and believes the "writing to be on the wall." If Randle is put on the trade block, ESPN's Brian Windhorst believes that he will have a lot of trade value. Moreover, Beverly believes that the Sacramento Kings would be a great fit for him.
You can’t take anything personal in the NBA! pic.twitter.com/Tr5pQpqb9n
— Pat Bev Pod (@PatBevPod) September 11, 2024
Him playing next to Domantas Sabonis would be a nightmare to guard, though they would also have problems guarding too. The Kings also probably wouldn't have any matching salary to send out but another California team could.
Will the New York Knicks trade star Julius Randle next season?
The Knicks moving Randle before seeing how he gels with the likes of Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, whom he barely played with last season, seems unlikely. If Randle is anything like he was last season before getting injured, averaging 24 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5 assists, then New York will probably hold onto him.
On the other hand, if he struggles or proves to be superfluous, then the Knicks would be wise to shop him and see what they can get for him. Particularly with his trade value seemingly high.
The Los Angeles Clippers would be a potential landing spot in that event, with them in need of more firepower and bafflingly letting Paul Geoge leave in free agency. Their being interested in Randle makes sense and they might have enough to get a deal done, though other teams could outbid them.
New York might not get an equally talented player for Randle, but they may be able to get two or three rotation players for him. That would allow them to potentially reshape their roster around star Jalen Brunson. Of course, that wouldn't be their first choice, and they have a chance to make a smaller deal to improve their team around both Brunson and Randle.
Overall, the Knicks will probably hold on to Randle to see how well he gels with their recent additions. If he plays well, then he could help them reach their full potential. If he doesn't, then New York will have a big trade asset that they can use to add depth around Brunson. It will be interesting to watch to see what happens with Randle this season.