Julius Randle could willingly force his way off the New York Knicks this offseason, according to Marc Berman’s latest piece in NY Post.
Berman wrote that several people around the league sense that Randle could demand “a James Harden type” change of scenery.
Julius Randle, who became an All-Star last season leading the Knicks back to the playoffs, has struggled in various ways this season.
Randle made headlines on Tuesday for not celebrating the Knicks’ win on Monday night with the rest of the team.
Berman’s report says Randle sometimes dresses by himself in the locker room and has shown a lack of leadership.
The star forward signed a four-year, $117 million contract extension with the Knicks last year. That extension doesn’t even begin until next season.
Though, he remains the scoring and rebounding leader for the Knicks averaging 20.1 points and 10.0 rebounds, his shooting splits are off.
Berman reported Randle did not come into the training camp in the same in the same shape as last season.
He’s shooting 41 percent from the field, while he only makes 30 percent of his threes after averaging a career-high 41 percent from deep last season.
The Knicks leading scorer is dealing with a quad injury in the last few games. However, he opted to help the team, which wants a 4-1 record in the remaining games to have any chance of making the play-in.
“A lot of guys probably wouldn’t be playing. He wants to play. I’ve got great respect for that. Give us what you can. & if you can’t play I still want you to give us what you can,” Tom Thibodeau told reporters recently.
Whatever the case may be with Randle’s drop this season. He might be searching for a new start in another team this offseason, if the rumors are true.
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