Don’t take your eyes off Julius Randle and the New York Knicks because they have a solid chance to surprise everyone before the regular season ends. As it stands, the team is in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with an 18-18 record. If all things go according to plan, they can sneak into the playoffs and show everyone that they’ve finally turned things around.
Of course, there are a lot of things going right for New York right now. For one, hiring Tom Thibodeau to fix the team’s culture and instill a defensive identity has paid dividends. Getting quality minutes from some of the Knicks’ young players, like RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, has also raised the franchise’s upside for the future. Above all of these factors is the timely ascension of the team’s most important player – Julius Randle.
The seven-year veteran was never given much thought all these years. When people see Randle, they see a 6’8” forward who possesses all the right tools but lacks the killer instinct to reach the next level. This has been the case throughout his career, especially during his stint with the Los Angeles Lakers. This season with the Knicks, though, is a gamechanger. We examine how Randle came to this point in his career and what it all means for his value in the card market.
Julius Randle’s breakout season as New York’s latest All-Star
In Randle’s first season for the Orange and Blue, he averaged 19.5 points 9.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 32.5 minutes per game. While the forward was hitting 51% from the field, he was a non-factor from beyond the arc with a horrendous 27% success rate.
This season, Randle has turned the tables around by notching mind-boggling numbers. He’s currently scoring 23.1 points per game while hitting 50% from the field and 41% from downtown. Randle is also improving his overall game by grabbing 10.9 boards and dishing 5.5 assists per contest. These numbers mean he’s not just a one-trick pony anymore. Randle has officially evolved into a deadly threat from all three levels of the court.
Randle’s impressive on-court performance isn’t a surprise anymore, especially for the New York faithful. Throughout 36 games, the forward has led the Knicks in points, rebounds, and assists. His 4.1 box plus/minus score places him 24th in a list of 186 active players in the league.
These numbers, paired with New York’s surprising record and an All-Star nod, serve as a testament to Randle’s incredible leap this season. Things will only get better, especially if the Knicks potentially reach the playoffs after a seven-year drought.
How Julius Randle cards are doing in the market
Whenever a player takes a leap, contributes quality minutes for a winning team, or lands a spot in the All-Star game, his stock in the market enjoys a boost. In the case of Randle, it’s all three factors and they are all evident in his card prices.
Let’s take a look at his PSA 10 2014 Prizm rookie card. Last January, the prices of this graded card hover around the $250 range. That number steadily rose as the Knicks stringed together a series of wins with Randle in the driver’s seat. This week, his PSA 10 Prizm rookie card has reached $500, effectively doubling Randle’s value from around two months ago.
Another interesting find on the market is Randle’s 2014 Immaculate Rookie Patch Auto card, which sold for $8,000 recently. It is adorned with Panini’s One of One logo, making it the only card of its kind in the entire world.
These two cards are but a small sample of Randle’s increasing value in the card market. For sure, his other cards, especially those that are numbered or part of a short print run, have already gone up.
The verdict on Julius Randle cards
It’s easy to see that Randle has a limited upside with the Knicks right now. Even if he raises his game to another level, there’s no way New York will take out the Brooklyn Nets or Milwaukee Bucks in a playoff series, let alone all the dominant teams in the West. Due to that reason, it only makes sense to cash in on your Julius Randle cards while he’s still hot in the market.
But be wary because there’s something brewing in New York. Just recently, there are rumblings behind the scenes that a star is trying to force his way to the Big Apple via a trade. If this becomes a reality and Randle isn’t traded away, the Knicks become instant contenders in the East. This will potentially boost Randle’s stock in the event a major star lands in New York.
As such, it would be wise to hold onto your Julius Randle cards until there is a solid confirmation on this rumor. You can also snag his cards, as long as they’re way below market comparisons to help you make a profit. In any case, it’s best to keep your eyes peeled on this first-time All-Star and the New York Knicks for anything that can affect his prices.
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