Knicks reportedly still open to trading Julius Randle

Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Knicks remain open to trading Julius Randle in the offseason, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post.

Randle signed a three-year, $62.1 million contract with the Knicks in the summer of 2019.

“Undoubtedly the Knicks are open to [trading Randle]. His contract for next season ($18.9 million) is manageable but the downside is he will count $4 million on the 2021 cap if they don’t exercise his team option after next season.

The 2021 free-agent class is golden. Randle had his moments as a double-double force and is still early in his prime. But Randle’s defense is below average and it’s been reported here his knack of over-dribbling frustrated some teammates, including RJ Barrett.

And a bigger disappointment was Randle lost his magic from the 3-point line (27.7 percent). As David Fizdale noted recently, the Knicks could use a 3-point shooting stretch 4. Someone like, say Kristaps Porzingis,” Berman reports.

Randle averaged 19.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists for the Knicks in 64 games, prior to the NBA suspension.