Julius Randle should must be apart of the Knicks plans going forward
The 2021-2022 NBA season didn’t go too well for the New York Knicks all-star forward Julius Randle. Just a season ago, he led his squad to the postseason and shocked the basketball world. Randle managed to acquire the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award and even received some MVP votes for his stunning season.
In Randle’s second season in New York, he was truly magnificent. He was able to carry an unproven Knicks roster to a fourth-place finish in the Eastern Conference.
Unfortunately, the Knicks got a different type of Randle this past season. He couldn’t replicate what he did in the year prior and received much retaliation from the New York media, and fans. A large chunk of New Yorkers don't want to see Randle in a Knicks uniform next season.
Fans should expect to see a bounce-back season from Randle
The Knicks have the potential to be a force in the Eastern Conference. With RJ Barrett’s improvements and the addition of former Dallas Maverick Jalen Brunson, this team could make some noise if they got into the postseason.
Julius Randle isn’t a reliable first option on a contending basketball team in today’s NBA. He, along with the entire Knicks roster, needed more help. And with the new acquisition of Brunson, it should certainly help him. Ultimately, it seems as if he’s buying into the team first mentality, as he was seen training with his younger teammates recently.
New York’s offense was centered around Julius Randle. The majority of the plays drawn up were for him, and he even was tasked with facilitating the offense multiple times.
In Randle’s two best seasons, he had two true point guards, Elfrid Payton, and Jrue Holiday. Not saying to bring back Elfrid Payton, but bringing in Brunson should certainly help take pressure off of the power forward..
The Knicks need to strike this off-season
This team has potential. Julius Randle could be a focal point in this offense, especially as a second or third option. The addition of Jalen Brunson, who many believe could help this team significantly, makes this team a potential top six seed in the East.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Utah Jazz are open to trading 3X All-Star, Donovan Mitchell. If the Knicks are able to pull off a trade for the 25-year-old star, it would help Randle and the Knicks even more.
Julius Randle can easily bounce back this upcoming season. He’s shown the ability to knock down three-point shots consistently, along with scoring in the paint. His defense could use some work, but we’ve seen videos of the former all-star working hard already this off-season.
Julius Randle is a good basketball player and certainly is capable of being a focal point on this team. If New York can bring in some help this off-season, then fans should expect Julius Randle to get back to his old ways.