Proposed Julius Randle Trade Would ‘Disgust’ Knicks Fans

Just days after the New York Knicks shipped out Julius Randle to the Minnesota Timberwolves, a new trade proposal would have him returning to the Big Apple, albeit to a different borough.

Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey suggested the Timberwolves could flip Randle to the Brooklyn Nets, a move that both NYC fan bases might view with “genuine disgust.”

Nets would get: Randle and a 2025 second-round pick (via Denver or Philadelphia)

Timberwolves would get: Cameron Johnson and Jalen Wilson

Bailey called Johnson, a seventh-year player, “a much easier fit alongside” Timberwolves stars Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert than Randle.

“Cameron Johnson’s never scored with near as much volume as Randle,” Bailey wrote in an October 1 story examining potential trade packages “if [the] Timberwolves aren’t done dealing.” “But it’s not crazy to think Johnson could creep up to 17-18 points per game in the role that’d be waiting for him in Minnesota.”

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Julius Randle Viewed as Potential Trade Option

Despite just being traded by the Knicks, Randle is still seen as a trade candidate by some observers, including CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn.

“Randle has already been traded once this offseason. That doesn’t mean he’s safe from another deal in February,” Quinn wrote on September 28. “Remember, Minnesota has Naz Reid in place and knows he’s capable of starting. If this fit doesn’t work, Minnesota can flip Randle’s salary slot into a different sort of player in February.

“It might even be motivated to do so, given Randle’s player option this offseason. The Timberwolves could go in any direction here,” Quinn wrote. “There are valid arguments for keeping Randle and extending him, letting him walk for tax savings, or trading him for different types of players. Until we see him play in a Timberwolves uniform, we just don’t know what will make sense.”

ESPN’s Bobby Marks also questioned “whether the tenure of Randle in Minnesota is short term or part of the future.”

“Randle has a $30.9 million player option for next season and can become a free agent,” Marks wrote on September 28. “He is eligible to sign a four-year, $181 million extension six months after the trade is completed.”

Marks’ colleague Chris Herring, however, wrote that “Randle figures to stay in Minnesota, as he can opt out of his deal after this season” and ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne wrote that Minnesota coach Chris Finch is “a fan of Randle, having coached him to a breakout season in New Orleans back in 2018-19.”

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Was Moving Randle for Towns the Right Decision?

Ultimately, how the Knicks play with Towns will determine whether they made the right decision. On paper, there are also concerns about his potential fit with the Knicks.

The spacing should be the best it’s ever been for Jalen Brunson in his Knicks career, which should only help improve his game.

However, Towns has struggled defensively throughout his career. He’s also had rough performances in the playoffs. In the 2022-23 postseason, he averaged 18.2 points per game but shot just 25.0% from 3-point range on 4.8 attempts per game.

Randle, however, has also struggled in the postseason.

An interesting trade with many question marks for both sides, the Knicks will hope to be on the right side of it.

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