NBA Rumors: Julius Randle’s trade value increasing around league

Recent NBA rumors have suggested that there is increased demand for New York Knicks forward Julius Randle. With trade rumors around the Knicks picking up steam, Sean Deveney learned more on the matter in an interview with an unnamed Eastern Conference executive.

The Knicks have been a rather mediocre team this season. With an 8-9 record after their most recent loss, the team hasn't been surprising or underwhelming.

Given that they missed out on opportunities to become a superpower in the East, the Knicks currently stand in a position to make the necessary changes. A major aspect of this upcoming change could be the league's interest in their roster.

Rumors and reports regarding New York being open to trading Derrick Rose and Immanuel Quickley have already garnered some interest. However, an interesting rumor suggests that teams in the NBA have shown a rising interest in Knicks forward Julius Randle.

Heavy.com's Sean Deveney learned of this in a recent interview with an Eastern Conference executive. When Deveney inquired about the league's interest in Randle's trade value at the moment, the exec said:

"They’re better now (trade value) because they have taken the ball out of his hands more, he has less pressure on him. He can worry about rebounding and shooting. He does not have to worry about everything.

"He’s shooting it better, so that helps, and every time a year comes off that contract, he gets more valuable–so, at the end of the year, he might be that much more worth a trade. The big thing is defense. That holds him back."

Randle, who earned an All-Star selection in the 2020-21 season, has had a fairly solid campaign this year. After being particularly disappointing last season, the forward has definitely had an impact on the statsheet this year.

With an average of 21.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, Randle has proven to be a valuable piece given a less demanding role.

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Should the Knicks trade Julius Randle?

Rumors regarding the league's interest in Julius Randle have certainly been a promising sight for the New York Knicks.

Given that the team will hope to add superstars in the future, the Knicks may benefit from moving Randle.

Recent rumors have reflected the Knicks' attempts at stockpiling picks. This in itself implies that the team is confident in their ability to land a superstar in the near future.

In this regard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Davis have emerged as potential targets. The demand for a superstar forward could lend to a narrative suggesting New York's stance on trading Randle.

Randle was also recently linked to the Miami Heat. This could be an interesting avenue for the Knicks to explore. While the Heat stand to gain a lot given that they will be adding a solid stretch four in the process, the Knicks may be able to offload Randle's contract while adding picks.

The biggest inhibitor in pursuing the Knicks star could be his poor defensive ability. Having earned a reputation as a defensive liability, New York may have a tough time negotiating trades for Julius Randle.