For the past few seasons, forward Julius Randle has played the best basketball of his career with the New York Knicks. During the last five seasons, he has averaged 22.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. Furthermore, he finished eighth in MVP voting in 2020-21 and took home the Most Improved Player award the same year. As a Knick, Randle is also a three-time All-Star, a one-time All-NBA Second Team selection, and a one-time All-NBA Third Team selection. Overall, the Kentucky alum has played great with the Knicks. However, following his injury last season, his contract situation, and the emergence of new star Jalen Brunson, Randle is now the subject of numerous trade rumors. And recently, former NBA guard Patrick Beverley said he thinks the Sacramento Kings should land the former lottery pick.
In a recent episode of his podcast, the Pat Bev Pod, Beverley said he thinks the “writing’s on the wall” regarding Randle and his time in New York. Furthermore, Beverley mentioned the Kings as a team Randle would excel with if the Knicks decide to trade him.
You can’t take anything personal in the NBA! pic.twitter.com/Tr5pQpqb9n
— Pat Bev Pod (@PatBevPod) September 11, 2024
Patrick Beverley Reveals Who Should Acquire Julius Randle
The Sacramento Kings Do Not Need Julius Randle
Randle is a good player and will give the Knicks a solid return in a potential trade. He was an All-Star just last season before his injury and was the team’s best player for a few years. However, Randle’s hypothetical fit in Sacramento is questionable.
Pairing him next to Domantas Sabonis in the frontcourt makes very little sense on paper. They are both offensive-minded players and would not complement each other well enough. Furthermore, Randle has two years remaining on his four-year, $117 million contract. This includes a $30.9 million player option for the 2025-26 season.
Randle’s contract situation makes him even less appealing to a team like Sacramento. This is especially true given they just signed star DeMar DeRozan this offseason to a three-year, $74 million deal. Plus, Domantas Sabonis’ four-year, $186 million contract kicks in this season, and guard De’Aaron Fox is eligible for a contract extension, though it reportedly will not happen this year.
The Last Word On the New York Knicks
Randle’s situation in New York is interesting and worth monitoring. Currently, it seems that the Knicks do not plan on extending him. However, no trade has come to fruition yet. Additionally, The Athletic’s Fred Katz reported that Randle’s trade value is “neutral at best.”
I don’t believe there is a team in the NBA that would value the three-time All-Star more than the Knicks do. I texted this question to someone who works in a rival team’s front office and received an answer I expected: “Neutral, at best,” the person said.
At this point, it would not be surprising if the team holds onto him for this season and moves him (assuming he accepts his player option) next summer. Regardless, it is fair to assume that Randle will not stay in New York for the rest of his NBA career.
