NBA Rumors: Julius Randle has “low trade value” across the league

CLEVELAND, OHIO – JANUARY 24: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks reacts after being called for a foul during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 24, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 95-93, NBA Rumors: Julius Randle has “low trade value” across the league. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

The New York Knicks have been nothing short of disappointing this season. Heading into the season, a lot of people had high hopes. The Knicks have not lived up to those hopes.

They are currently 24-28 on the season which is good for 12th in the Eastern Conference. That means that if the playoffs started today, they wouldn’t even be in the play-in.

Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker haven’t panned out the way they’d hoped, their defense has taken a step back, and some of their other vets are underperforming.

But the most shocking drop-off has been that of Julius Randle.

Julius Randle has grossly underperformed for the New York Knicks this season

After an All-Star and All-NBA Second Team season last year, Julius Randle has been a shell of his former self. He’s just not playing at that same level anymore.

This year, Randle is averaging 18.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists while shooting 41.4 percent from the field and 30.3 percent from three-point range.

Not only are these numbers down across the board from last year, but his ball-dominant play had legitimately hurt his team’s overall performance.

Some have thrown around NBA trades, thinking it might be best for the Knicks to get rid of him now. But unfortunately, that might not be as easy as many think.

NBA Rumors: Julius Randle has “low trade value” across the league

According to recent NBA rumors from Mark Berman of the New York Post, one NBA scout said that Randle currently has “low trade value.” And another NBA executive backed up this statement, saying that value just isn’t there. (H/T Bleacher Report)

The scout elaborated on his thoughts further, saying that Randle “hasn’t come across as a good teammate,” he’s “played selfish.” Obviously, some might look at his massive contract as a problem, but the scout said that “his contract isn’t an issue. Perception is.”

Randle made headlines earlier this season when he flipped off the crowd at Madison Square Garden after they booed him. He then doubled down, telling them to “shut the f*** up” postgame, but would late apologize on Instagram.

Speaking of Instagram, he’s recently unfollowed all of the New York Knicks social accounts. Things seem to be getting pretty messy in the Big Apple.

If Randle’s trade value is truly in the dirt, NBA trades could be hard to come by. With the trade deadline coming up, what should the New York Knicks do about Julius Randle?