"The interest's real" - Knicks podcaster believes Julius Randle may still be traded for shooting big man
The New York Knicks might not be finished making moves after their recent activity in free agency and the trade market. According to a Knicks podcaster, a potential trade involving Julius Randle could be on the horizon.
On an episode of Knicks Fan TV with Ariel Helwani, podcaster CP The Fanchise suggested that the Knicks might be looking to trade Julius Randle for Karl-Anthony Towns.
The Knicks face a decision regarding Randle, who is under contract until the 2024-25 season and has a nearly $31 million player option for 2025-26.
“We have to monitor this Julius extension…Not necessarily advocating…Just telling you…the interest's real," CP The Fanchise said.
He mentioned that the Knicks are interested in adding Towns to emulate the Boston Celtics’ championship roster.
“They want to catch Boston,” he said. “They see what Boston can do with a true five-out system. They want to open up that floor completely for Jalen (Brunson) to do his thing and cook like he usually does.”
“They're bigger fans of Karl-Anthony Towns. Personally, I like Julius. Fit-wise, offensively, Towns is a better fit."
The podcaster speculated that Julius Randle's extension might be delayed because the Knicks are exploring acquiring Towns.
“I don't think they're done. I think there's one more move they wanna make. I think there's a big swing that they want to make because they didn't sign Julius Randle to an extension,” he said.
“If you're able to put Towns out there? I'm just talking about skill set, offensive skill set as a true shooting big. That’s how they want to beat Boston.”
Julius Randle, who averaged 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 46 games this season and made his third All-Star selection, suffered a shoulder injury that sidelined him for much of the second half of the season.
Towns could make sense, especially after the departure of center Isaiah Hartenstein. While Towns isn't the tenacious, high-energy big Hartenstein is, his floor-spacing abilities could unlock the Knicks' offense.
Looking at what the Knicks have done pending the Julius Randle extension
Fred Katz of The Athletic reported in May that Julius Randle could sign an extension with the Knicks on Aug. 3, potentially worth up to $181.5 million over four years. However, this could limit the Knicks' flexibility in pursuing other stars.
“The Knicks are not trying to trade Randle, but they recognize that their quest for a star could require having to do so. If a suitable target does not pop up this summer, then they could turn their eyes to the 2025 trade deadline, hoping to land one then,” Katz said.
The Knicks have been busy this offseason, trading for Mikal Bridges and securing OG Anunoby long-term. However, they lost the Isaiah Hartenstein sweepstakes to the OKC Thunder.
Last season, the Knicks secured the second seed in the East and, despite playoff injuries, reached the second round before being eliminated by the Indiana Pacers in seven games.