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NBA Rumors: Knicks trade theory still alive after Julius Randle … – Daily Knicks
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 09: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks looks on during the first half of a preseason game against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden on October 09, 2023 in New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
A few weeks have passed since Julius Randle made the switch from CAA to WME Sports, and the trade whispers are still going. If he didn’t play for the New York Knicks, it wouldn’t have been breaking news, but because of the organization’s deep CAA roots, fans speculated there could’ve been something more to the representation change.
Randle reunited with Andrew Thomas, a marketing agent for WME, who, like the star power forward, left CAA for WME in early 2022. WME Sports also represents RJ Barrett, so it’s not as if CAA represents every key Knicks player.
The four-year, $117 million extension Randle signed two years ago goes through the 2025-26 season, a $29.5 million player option. It’ll be at minimum another two years before he enters free agency, possibly three. Given his current contract, it was early for Randle to make a switch, which fueled the fire that maybe his time in New York is ticking.
The speculation was cut short by Media Day and training camp, and now the attention is on the preseason. That hasn’t cut the talk off completely, though, as Senior NBA Yahoo reporter Jake Fischer was a guest on the ‘KNICKS BUZZ’ show, where he said that he’s heard rumblings about a “potential trade situation.”
Jake Fischer on Julius Randle moving from CAA to join WME Agency.
“I am starting to wonder… particularly after changing to WME.
“That’s something that some people around the League have suggested to me, is a potential trade situation to look out for.”
FULL EP:… pic.twitter.com/ctQm7dA4X5
— KNICKS | THE STREETS ARE BUZZING™ (@KNICKSBUZZ) October 6, 2023
It’s impossible to know exactly what Julius Randle’s future looks like with the Knicks. If the right superstar becomes available, maybe Randle could be included in the package.
It’s no secret the organization holds Randle in high regard, and there hasn’t been anything reported about a fall-out between him and New York. The Athletic’s Fred Katz wrote (subscription required) on Sept. 27 that James Dolan is “a big-time Randle supporter.”
When Randle was contemplating the switch, there was likely more to it than he simply wanted to reunite with Thomas, but that part’s still unknown. Anyway, if the Knicks were actively shopping Randle, it’d be all over social media. That doesn’t mean that won’t happen in the future.
Randle kicked off preseason on Monday with 11 points (3-of-4) and four rebounds in 13 minutes. He’s fully recovered from his offseason ankle surgery, and he could very well be named an All-NBA/All-Star player for the third time in four seasons.
This time next year, he could be entering his sixth season with the Knicks, or his first elsewhere. For now, there’s no way of knowing what’s to come. Don’t expect this to be the last you hear about Julius Randle’s switch to WME Sports, though.
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