The New York Knicks have had internal talks about trading power forward Julius Randle before the NBA's Feb. 6 trade deadline, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post.
Randle signed a three-year deal with the Knicks this past summer in free agency:
If Marcus Morris is not traded, there will be pressure to sign him to a long-term deal. According to sources, there’s been some internal talks about gauging Julius Randle’s trade value – since his removal from the cap would open more room for Morris.
The Post reported exclusively on Jan. 13 they were leaning against trading Morris unless they obtained an All-Star caliber player in return because of their desire to re-sign him. The source said a late first-round pick would not be enough.
Randle is making $18 million this season. The lefty has appeared in 48 games for the Knicks and is averaging 18.9 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 44.7 percent from the field, 26.9 percent from beyond the arc and 70.7 percent from the free-throw line.
The Knicks are 14-36 on the season, well out of playoff contention for yet another year. They will miss the playoffs again and could be active at the deadline, as players like Randle, Dennis Smith Jr., Kevin Knox, Bobby Portis and Frank Ntilikina have been mentioned in trade rumors.
Randle, who began his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, has career averages of 15.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists with the Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans and Knicks.