Knicks Never Reached Consensus In Decision To Trade Julius Randle

The entire Knicks organization is thrilled to land star big man Karl-Anthony Towns in a trade with the Timberwolves (and Hornets). But dealing power forward Julius Randle to the Timberwolves wasn’t a consensus move for New York, per Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.

Instead, some within the organization reportedly wanted to keep Randle after already acquiring wing Mikal Bridges from the Nets earlier in the offseason. But the Knicks went ahead with the Towns trade, anyway.

“Another route would’ve been to give another chance to the lineup that dominated January of last season — with Randle and OG Anunoby as the forwards — while incorporating the versatile Bridges at shooting guard,” Bondy wrote. 

“But the Knicks lost Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency, realized Mitchell Robinson’s health was a greater concern and never came close to an agreement on Randle’s contract extension.”

Randle, 29, appeared in 46 games last season, averaging 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.3 blocks while shooting 47.2% from the floor and 31.1% on 3-pointers. Some within the organization reportedly felt there may have been some chemistry concerns by keeping Randle.

Along with Randle, the Knicks sent guard Donte DiVincenzo and a protected first-round pick to the Timberwolves in the Towns deal.

Randle will make $28.9 million this season and is eligible to sign an extension. Without one, he can become a free agent next summer.

As for Towns, there’s no doubt the Knicks are ready to roll with what is considered a more potent rotation.

“There’s always questions, right?” guard/forward Josh Hart told reporters. “Some of the uncertainty [that comes with a big trade]. You just don’t know. Obviously a big move is made and you have to see how that fits.

“And you have guys who you are very comfortable with are gone. I think we’re going to be a very good team. I’m not going to sit here and label us contenders, I’m not going to sit here and label us a lottery team, I’m not going to do any of that. That’s for you guys to do. But I think we’re going to be a team that competes at a high level, a team that competes at a high level. We want to bring excitement back to the city and that’s something at the end of the year they have a lot of.”