Knicks Star Gaining ‘Neutral at Best’ Trade Interest Around NBA

The New York Knicks will enter the 2024-25 NBA season as one of the better teams in the league. After finishing as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference last season, New York decided to try to maximize its winning window.

The organization traded for star forward Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets, giving them another strong two-way piece to the roster. New York has one of the deepest rosters around the NBA, potentially to help negate any injury issues that may come up.

Last season, injuries derailed the Knicks’ season. They didn’t have enough strong bodies to play in the postseason and it ultimately saw them be bounced out in the second round of the playoffs to the Indiana Pacers.

The team has been looking at different ways to continue improving the team, including moving star forward Julius Randle. However, according to insider Fred Katz of The Athletic, the interest in Randle around the league hasn’t been very strong.

“Here’s what makes discussions about hypothetical Randle trades so difficult: I don’t believe there is a team in the NBA that would value the three-time All-Star more than the Knicks do. I texted this question to someone who works in a rival team’s front office and received an answer I expected: “Neutral, at best,” the person said.”

Part of the reason why the Knicks may look to move Randle is to help with the salary books. New York already has a lot of salary on the cap sheet and will need to give Bridges a new deal soon.

Randle is scheduled to make $28.9 million this season and holds a player option for $30.9 million next year. If the Knicks can move that off their salary cap, re-signing Bridges and others becomes much less complicated.

With the new CBA now in effect, New York could have a tough time keeping everyone together. They likely don’t want to go above the dreaded second apron tax to avoid some harsh penalties.

But the decision to potentially trade Randle doesn’t mean that he isn’t a good player. He averaged 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game last season for New York.

The veteran forward made his third All-Star team and averaged at least 20 points for his fourth straight season. Randle could provide another team with an offensive boost if the Knicks trade him, and New York could get back some strong assets.

It remains to be seen if the Knicks will pull the trigger on a Randle trade, but for now, he is gearing up to help New York reach its goal of winning a title.

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