With less than 24 hours before the NBA trade deadline passes, multiple Knicks players will be on edge as they await their fates. Rumors have been swirling around many of them, including F Julius Randle.
It was expected that some of these veterans signing short-term deals this past summer would be used as trade bait at this point in the season. However, Randle signed a longer deal than them all, inking a three-year contract worth $63 million. And he did so thinking he would remain a key cog in the Knicks' rebuild.
Even with these trade rumors going on, Randle still has that New York vision.
"I would love it, man," he said about staying with the Knicks. "I came here to be a part of this team, to try to help change the culture and reshape the organization and turn things around. Try to get back to winning ways. So I would love to continue to be a part of that vision that not only I had, but the guys that brought me here."
"I came here to be a part of this team, to try to help change the culture" - @J30_RANDLE says he'd like to remain with the Knicks pic.twitter.com/CV0gvRmutW
- Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) February 5, 2020
Luckily for him, Randle's rumors have died down. He was linked to talks with the Hornets, which also involved G Terry Rozier, who was a Knicks' target in free agent this past summer. Malik Monk and Dennis Smith Jr. were also discussed, according to SNY's Ian Begley.
Randle is currently averaging 18.9 points, 9.5 boards and 3.2 assists while shooting 45 percent for New York this season. Those are very solid numbers, especially considering the slow start he had to kick off the year.
Of course, everything is still on the table before that 3 p.m. deadline hits on Thursday. But, for now, it looks like Randle's wish of remaining on the Knicks will be staying in tact.