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After a surprisingly successful 2020-21 campaign that saw them snap an eight-year postseason drought, the New York Knicks fell back down to their oh-so-familiar lottery-dwelling status in 2021-22, finishing the year as the 11th seed in the Eastern Conference standings with a lackluster record of just 37-45.
Much of the blame for their sub-.500 finish was assigned to franchise centerpiece Julius Randle, who struggled mightily to follow up his selection to the All-NBA Second Team.
Through 72 games played, the big man went on to post averages of 20.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists.
On the surface, those numbers appear impressive, but when coupled with his shooting splits (41% from the floor and 31% from deep), it becomes evident that his play was far from efficient.
Not all of his struggles can be attributed to his misdoings alone. Randle was forced to play in overdrive after so many key Knicks contributors missed time to injuries and other health-related concerns. The burden proved to be too much for the 27-year-old.
The least dependable position on the team’s depth chart last season proved to be point guard, where several players, including natural wing Alec Burks, started. Lack of consistency and production at guard like factored into Randle’s subpar season. The loss of Derrick Rose, in particular, might have been the biggest blow for Randle.
A Healthy Rose Has Only Benefited Randle
Rose went down with an ankle injury in mid-December that kept him sidelined for the remainder of the year. Rose’s prolonged absence hurt the team and severely affected Randle’s performance.
In games where both Rose and Randle suited up for the Knicks in 2021-22, Randle produced like his All-Star self, putting up 20.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists on 36% shooting from distance.
Without Rose on the floor, however, his effectiveness diminished. He collected 19.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists on 39.9% shooting from the field and 27.6% shooting from deep.
Rose’s impact on Randle’s productivity is not just a trend seen this past season but, rather, throughout their entire New York tenure together, as Randle boasts stellar averages of 23.4 points, 9.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists on 39% shooting from deep in 60 total regular season games playing alongside Rose, a former league MVP.
Knicks Are Refusing to Include Rose In a Donovan Mitchell Deal
Despite all the buzz about the Knicks being interested in striking up a blockbuster deal for Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell, The Athletic’s Tony Jones told the “HoopsHype” podcast in an August 5 interview that Knicks president Leon Rose was reluctant to include Derrick Rose in such negotiations, stating:
“The Knicks don’t want to unload Derrick Rose,” Jones said. “He’s long been a favorite of Tom Thibodeau. I know the Knicks want to hang onto him and [guard Quentin] Grimes. Those guys are priorities.”
After making his return to the Knicks midway through the 2020-21 season, not only did Rose have a major impact on Randle but also the team as a whole.
In his 61 games played with the club over this stretch, New York has gone on to win 59% of their contests and managed to clinch their first playoff berth since 2013 in the process.
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