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After close to two decades of being stuck in irrelevancy, the New York Knicks have come out this season with guns blazing towards the playoffs. What many expected to be a so-so year is now one that’s leading a lot of basketball fans back to the Big Apple and a resurgent team behind it, led by no other than Julius Randle.
While Randle’s lone season with the New Orleans Pelicans saw him take a leap, his current stint in New York is one that has raised him to an MVP-level type of player. Along with the new culture spearheaded by Tom Thibodeau and the continuous development of his teammates, Randle is about to take the Knicks back to where they truly belong – the playoffs.
We examine down below the impact of Randle’s incredible run this season on his cards and the reasons why they’re a great investment option for collectors.
Julius Randle Cards: Making the All-Star Leap
The conversation for the NBA’s Most Improved Player this year is now revolving heavily around Julius Randle. Rightfully so, because taking a once-dismissed team back to relevance by posting incredible numbers on a nightly basis is a good argument for the seven-year veteran.
During Randle’s first season with the Knicks, the power forward posted 19.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 32.5 minutes per game. This year, he raised those numbers up to 23.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, six assists, and a steal in 37.5 minutes per contest. Randle also improved as a perimeter threat by hitting 41% of his 5.3 attempts, a far cry from last season’s 27% on 3.6 attempts.
As of now, the closest threat to Randle for the Most Improved Player award is the Detroit Piston’s Jerami Grant. While the former has certainly taken a good leap from where he was with the Denver Nuggets last year, Randle has the better numbers in all categories and is playing for a playoff-bound team. All things considered, the Knicks’ All-Star ascension is reason enough to lock him in for the said award.
Playing For A Big-Market Team
There’s nothing quite like playing for a big-market team like the New York Knicks. At the same time, the allure of leading this once-revered squad back to the promised land is a good catalyst for Randle’s surging popularity and value in the card market.
Julius Randle enters play tonight in search of his 3rd straight 30-point double-double.
The last Knicks player to achieve that feat was Patrick Ewing in 1995. pic.twitter.com/5sHrWIfUeI
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 26, 2021
Accomplishing the herculean task of making New York relevant again in the basketball scene is a great feather on Randle’s cap. Having the love and adoration of the Knicks’ fans will surely go a long way in cementing the All-Star’s legacy as potentially one of the franchise’s best players. This feat can only be possible in cities with large fanbases, such as Los Angeles and Boston. Right now, Randle is fulfilling that goal.
A Bright Future Ahead In The Big Apple
The Knicks originally signed Randle to a three-year $62 million contract during the 2019 offseason, a move made to offset not getting premier free agents back then, like Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard. At that time, New York’s decision to get Randle wasn’t received well by critics and fans alike.
With Randle’s All-Star leap and the Knicks’ imminent return to the postseason, New York is suddenly a free-agency destination once again. While the offseason is still months away, several names are already being connected to the Big Apple when their respective contracts are up. If the Knicks add one or two quality pieces to their roster, they can speed up their timeline and contend for a title sooner than later.
One of the biggest beneficiaries of this potential future in New York is Randle himself. His impressive run this season has placed the Knicks back on the map. If things progress at this rate, Randle’s card value will certainly age well. As of now, his PSA 10 Prizm rookie card is at $380, which has taken a leap from where it was last February at $255.
The legend of Julius Randle among the New York faithful is just beginning this year. With the way he’s playing and the manner he’s trending up, there’s a big chance the forward can be counted among the likes of Patrick Ewing and Walt Frazier. If this potentially happens, it would be wise to start collecting Julius Randle NBA rookie cards now before they shoot up.
