Julius Randle's timid trade market highlights importance to Knicks

New York Knicks forward Julius Randle is entering the final year of his contract . The three-time All-Star will undoubtedly be looking to bounce back from his injury-plagued 2023-24 season as the Knicks bid to challenge for an NBA championship. However, his long-term future with the franchise remains a talking point within the fanbase.

According to Fred Katz of The Athletic, Randle's skill set makes him a "specific fit" within a rotation. As such, he is expected to hold more value to the Knicks than he would any other team, making him a difficult commodity to trade.

"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," Katz writes. "...Randle’s contract is fair. He makes $28.9 million this season and can become a free agent next summer. But the fear of having to pay him, especially when his skill set makes him such a specific fit, makes it difficult to find suitors willing to give up any package that would be worth it for the Knicks."

When healthy, Randle is New York's clear-cut second option on offense. Last season, he averaged 24 points, 9.2 rebounds and five assists while shooting 47.2% from the field and 31.1% from three-point range. Randle is also a reliable defender, though he figures to find his load lightened on that side of the floor due to OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges residing on the roster.

Randle was the first high-level talent to join Tom Thibodeau's rebuild. The Knicks have been crafted their foundation with him as a core piece of the puzzle. It makes sense that he holds legitimate importance to the Knicks' chances of success.

It at least outwardly appears as though New York would be unlikely to look to move on from Randle. He could be a swing factor in the playoffs. Nevertheless, seeing whether they can keep him around beyond the current season will be interesting. Randle is due a big payday and whether he would be willing to follow Jalen Brunson's lead by taking a team-friendly discount is anybody's guess.