Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty ImagesThe New York Knicks could be headed for separation after a disappointing NBA season.
The New York Post reported Tuesday that some people around the league feel he is acting in a James Harden type of way, that suggests he wants a new place of work next season.
This season, he is averaging 20.1 points, 10.0 rebound and 5.1 assists. He made his first All-Star team last year with 24.1 PPG, 10.2RPG, 6.0 APG and those numbers are not too far off. His shooting has fallen off as he is hitting 30.5 percent of his three-pointers, well off his pace from a year ago.
After signing a four-year, $117.1 million extension with the Knicks, he hasn't been a tone-setter.
After giving a thumbs down gesture to fans inside the Madison Square Garden during a victory over the Boston Celtics in January, he displayed contrition. He told reporters after the game that he was telling fans to shut up.
He threw the ball backward as he walked on his own after grabbing a rebound in the final seconds of Monday's win over the Chicago.
It is understandable that the parallels to Harden are there because the 10-time All-Star wasn't subtle when he decided to leave the Houston Rockets and then the Brooklyn Nets.
Predicting that he might force his way out like Harden did, implies that he will have a robust trade market in which teams are indifferent about him going scorched earth with his current team.
Ahead of February's trade deadline, Berman spoke to an NBA scout who said that Randle has not come across as a good teammate and that he has a low trade value.
Coming to the conclusion that the Knicks are better off moving in opposite directions is the easy part.
Jason Smith @howaboutafrescaAfter tonight, it's clear the Knicks need to do everything they can to move on from Julius Randle next season. This just isn't salvageable. He's not who they thought he was when they signed him after last year.
Finding a team that is willing to take on his contract may be difficult.
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