New York Knicks big man Julius Randle is back in the rotation for Sunday's game against the Miami Heat. Randle had missed the past two games due to personal reasons.
Julius Randle (personal reasons) has rejoined the team and will be available for today’s game against Miami.
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) January 12, 2020
Randle had previously played in all 37 games. The Knicks lost consecutive matchups against the Utah Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans in his absence.
The 25-year-old has had a very up-and-down year thus far. Randle started fairly slow in October and November, but he started to play some good basketball in December.
Randle scored 30-plus points in each of New York's final three games in December. That included a monstrous 30-point, 16-rebound performance against the Washington Wizards on Dec. 28.
The momentum seemed to carry into January as Randle put up 22 points and 13 boards in a blowout win over the Portland Trail Blazers on New Year's Day. However, Randle struggled immensely in his last three appearances. The former Laker forward averaged just 14.7 points on a woeful 34 percent shooting as the Knicks were swept over the course of their four-game road trip.
Randle Involved in Trade Rumors
Randle has also found himself wrapped up in trade rumors. Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press reported the Pistons initiated trade talks involving Randle. The deal would feature Randle and Knicks guard Frank Ntilikina in exchange for Pistons center Andre Drummond. Although it seems the Knicks have no interest in such a deal:
I checked Saturday morning with a league source familiar with the Knicks’ front office thinking and was told, “there’s nothing there.”
The source said it was the Pistons who initiated discussions with a package centered around Drummond and another Pistons player for big man Julius Randle and guard Frank Ntilikina, a player the Pistons have previously tried to pry from the Knicks.
Although he has not had the best year, Randle signed with the Knicks for three years guaranteed. Drummond, on the other hand, has a player option next year that he could easily decline.
The Knicks certainly are not going to trade their best player and a potential building block for just a half-season of Drummond, especially when they are not in contention.
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