Julius Randle has been all out of sorts this season. So have the New York Knicks. Both parties have failed to live up to the lofty expectations they set last season. They both share the blame for it.
Rumors surfaced about Randle requesting a trade from the Knicks and displaying bad body language to show that he's done with New York. His overall energy has indeed taken a nosedive this season, which has led to lots of frustration from the fanbase. After a loss to the Charlotte Hornets, Randle set the record straight and declared that he did not request a trade.
On the reports of wanting out: “Yeah, that’s not true, bro,” Randle said. “That’s just not true. Simple as that, it’s not true at all. If it didn’t come from me it ain’t true.” https://t.co/PQmfGi2Mdf
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) March 31, 2022
Randle emerged as one of the brightest stars in New York City last season only to unravel this year. He earned a four-year contract extension worth $117 million after winning the Most Improved Player award. Even during this rough season, the 27-year-old has said that he loves being a Knick. His body language tells a different story, though, which puts the legitimacy of his claim into question.
Just a year removed from seeing him as the franchise star, Knicks fans have booed Randle throughout the season. He understands it and accepts it, but it doesn't make his fall from grace any less startling. The emergence of RJ Barrett as the team's star and Obi Toppin as a legitimate option at power forward makes Randle expandable. Although his contract may make a trade hard to pull off, moving on from him is a sensible option for New York.
If Randle can have it his way, though, he would remain with the Knicks and try to bounce back next season.
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