Julius Randle Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Knicks Notes: Randle, Hart, Anunoby, Achiuwa, Fournier

January 29th, 2024 at 6:26pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau wouldn’t speculate prior to their game against Charlotte on Monday how much time Julius Randle might miss, Stefan Bondy of the New York Post tweets.

Randle dislocated his right shoulder against Miami on Saturday and is expected to be out at least a few weeks, though an MRI revealed no significant damage.

“He’s being smart right now, as are we. So we’re gathering the information then we’ll make a good decision once we have the information,” Thibodeau said. “I think that’s a big part of decision making. To speculate before you have all the information would just speculation.”

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Josh Hart said the early prognosis on Randle’s injury is reason for optimism, Bondy reports in another tweet.“That has us in good spirits that he’s not going to be out too long,” Hart said. “We have to stay afloat during that time. I think we have the pieces to do that.”
While Randle mends, Hart could be inserted into the lineup at the three with OG Anunoby to power forward, Mark W. Sanchez of the Post writes. The could also go with a more traditional lineup, with Precious Achiuwa starting, or even consider a very small unit with Quentin Grimes in place of Randle. Jericho Sims will likely take on a bigger role, Sanchez adds.
Anunoby was a late scratch on Monday due to right elbow inflammation, the team’s PR department tweets. He’s averaging 15.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals in 14 starts since being acquired from Toronto. Hart and Achiuwa started on Monday in place of Anunoby and Randle, Ian Begley of SNY TV tweets.
Evan Fournier did not travel with the team due to personal reasons, Fred Katz of The Athletic tweets. Fournier, who has appeared in only three games, is a prime trade candidate due to his contract, which includes a $19MM club option for next season.

Julius Randle Expected To Miss Several Weeks, But MRI Reveals No Significant Damage

January 29th, 2024 at 9:51am CST by Arthur Hill

Julius Randle continues to undergo testing for his dislocated right shoulder, but Knicks officials are optimistic that his absence will be “measured in weeks and not months,” sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). Initial reviews of an MRI he had this weekend indicate no significant damage, tweets Shams Charania of The Athletic.

A source confirms to Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (Twitter link) that there’s hope Randle will be back before the end of the season, but cautions that the diagnosis is “not conclusive” yet, noting that more tests were performed after the MRI. Steve Popper of Newsday tweets that there was an upbeat feeling about Randle at this morning’s shootaround and notes that next month’s All-Star break will give him an additional week to recover without affecting the season.

Surgery hasn’t been ruled out, but the testing so far provides a reason to believe that Randle can recover without it, adds Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link).

Randle suffered the injury on a drive to the basket late in Saturday’s game against Miami. As Jaime Jaquez attempted to draw a change, Randle landed awkwardly with his right arm extended. He headed toward the training staff and was taken to the locker room for X-rays.

Randle has been one of the on-court leaders for the Knicks, who have won 12 of their last 14 games to surge into fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Through 46 games, he’s averaging 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists per night.

Knicks Notes: Randle, Anunoby, Hartenstein

January 28th, 2024 at 10:28pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

The rhythm of the Knicks‘ offense seems liable to be thrown out of whack with All-Star power forward Julius Randle now shelved due to a dislocated right shoulder, according to Stefan Bondy of The New York Post.

New York has been rolling of late, with six straight victories to its credit. 6’4″ swingman Josh Hart has functioned as Randle’s primary backup this season.

Bondy posits that, though players like Hart, OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and Jericho Sims can assume bigger roles in Randle’s stead, the team will still miss the way his presence has bent opposing defenses. The two-time All-NBA vet is the club’s second-leading scorer, averaging 24.0 PPG, while also chipping in 9.2 RPG and 5.0 APG.

“You don’t want to see that from anybody,” teammate Jalen Brunson said. “Especially the way he’s been playing… He means a lot to us.”

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Among the Knicks who should look to increase their output with Randle unavailable, OG Anunoby especially needs to be more aggressive as a scorer, writes Steve Popper of Newsday. Across his 14 contests since being traded to New York from the Raptors, the 6’7″ wing is averaging 15.6 PPG on .516/.391/.842 shooting, 4.6 RPG, 1.8 SPG, 1.5 APG and 1.1 BPG. The Knicks have gone 12-2 in those games and are currently the East’s No. 4 seed with a 29-17 record.
After missing two games due to an Achilles tendinopathy, Knicks reserve center Isaiah Hartenstein looked like his old self upon rejoining New York’s lineup against the Heat, writes Mark W. Sanchez of The New York Post. Hartenstein had previously played in 164 straight contests for the club. “I’m past it,” Hartenstein said. “It’s like normal tendinitis. It’s nothing like, ‘Oh, it’s the end of the world.’ You just manage it so it’s nothing crazy.”
In case you missed it, the Knicks are said to be considering a move for Jazz shooting guard Jordan Clarkson ahead of this season’s February 8 trade deadline.

Julius Randle Suffers Dislocated Right Shoulder

January 27th, 2024 at 5:29pm CST by Arthur Hill

Knicks forward Julius Randle dislocated his right shoulder in this afternoon’s game against Miami, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. An X-ray didn’t reveal much damage, a source tells Wojnarowski, but the team will get a better idea of his condition when an MRI is taken tonight.

Randle was injured on a drive to the basket with 4:27 left to play, according to Steve Popper of Newsday. Jaime Jaquez stepped in front of him in an attempt to draw a charge, and Randle landed awkwardly with his right arm extended. He immediately went to the training staff and was taken to the locker room.

“I don’t want to see anybody get hurt, but that’s part of the game,” coach Tom Thibodeau said in his post-game press conference (Twitter link from Knicks reporter Adam Zagoria).

Thibodeau declined to speculate on the severity of the injury, but he expressed confidence that the team’s reserves can fill in for as long as Randle is sidelined.

Randle has been one of the leaders for New York, which has won 12 of its last 14 games to rise into fourth place in the East. The veteran big man has been making a strong push for his third All-Star selection, averaging 24.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists through 45 games while shooting 47.3% from the field and 30.4% from three-point range.

With 12 days remaining until the trade deadline, the Knicks may be forced to shop around the league for help at power forward if Randle’s injury is significant.

Atlantic Notes: Hartenstein, Poeltl, Martin, Maxey

January 22nd, 2024 at 6:53pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Center Isaiah Hartenstein could miss some time due to soreness in his left foot and ankle, Ian Begley of SNY TV tweets. The Knicks will see how he feels on Tuesday before determining his status for their matchup with the Nets. He’s listed as questionable due to Achilles tendinopathy.

Coach Tom Thibodeau said Jericho Sims and Precious Achiuwa will need to step in if Hartenstein misses any time (Twitter link via Knicks Videos). Julius Randle or OG Anunoby could also get minutes at center if Thibodeau is willing to use smaller lineups.

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Raptors center Jakob Poeltl is progressing well in his recovery from an ankle injury, Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports tweets. Poeltl didn’t play against Memphis on Monday but the Raptors are hoping to have him back “very, very soon,” according to coach Darko Rajakovic. Poeltl hasn’t played since Jan. 7.
The Sixers have made swingman KJ Martin available on the trade market, Marc Stein reports in his latest notebook. Philadelphia is looking for a quality second-round pick in a potential deal. Martin has struggled for playing time on a veteran-laden team. He has appeared in 25 games this season but is only averaging 5.9 minutes in those outings. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent after the season.
By starting 41 games this season, Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey has met the starter’s criteria, bumping his qualifying offer to $8,486,620, ESPN’s Bobby Marks tweets. For a player at Maxey’s level, the increase of his QO isn’t significant, since he’s widely expected to receive a max contract from Philadelphia in lieu of exploring the restricted free agent market.

Knicks Notes: Brunson, Achiuwa, Hartenstein, Trade Rumors

January 21st, 2024 at 8:35am CST by Luke Adams

There were good vibes in Madison Square Garden on Saturday, as Knicks fans gave Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett a warm welcome in their return to New York as Raptors, then watched stars Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle lead the home team to a dominant 126-100 victory. After the game, Brunson and Randle both spoke about how much they enjoyed playing with Quickley and Barrett, who said they appreciated the reception they received from Knicks fans.

“Love those two. Being teammates with them the past couple of years has been special,” Brunson said of Barrett and Quickley, per Peter Botte of The New York Post. “Great character dudes. They both work really hard. Everything you want in a franchise player. Toronto has a couple good dudes over there. I wish them nothing but the best.”

“Those guys are special talents,” Randle added, according to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. “It’s a special relationship I’ve built with them. I know they talk about how much I meant to them, but they mean a lot to me, to be honest. Talking about leadership, how I carry myself, how to be open, how to be honest, how to be motivated — those are things I didn’t necessarily have coming in vocally. I always wanted to lead by example, just play hard every night. But those guys with me brought a different side out of me. … The relationship that I have with them is extremely special.”

While Quickley and Barrett are missed by their former teammates, Saturday’s game was a reminder of why trading them was the right move, according to Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. As Bondy notes, OG Anunoby continues to show he’s a perfect fit alongside the Knicks’ ball-dominant players, who have been on a tear this month.

Following a 38-point showing on Saturday, Brunson has now averaged 28.9 points and 8.4 assists per game since the arrival of Anunoby, who in turn has been an NBA-best +190 during his time on the court as a Knick. Randle had a triple-double in Saturday’s victory and has put up 25.6 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and 5.1 APG since Anunoby’s debut.

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While Anunoby continues to be lauded by his play for the Knicks – including by super-fan Spike Lee, as Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca details – another former Raptor had a big night vs. his former team on Saturday. Precious Achiuwa established new season highs of 18 points and 11 rebounds in 25 minutes of action, writes Jared Schwartz of The New York Post.
Achiuwa was playing an increased role due to the fact that starting center Isaiah Hartenstein left the game in the third quarter with an ankle issue. According to Bondy (Twitter link), head coach Tom Thibodeau called it as a sprain, though the team later referred to it as just “sore.” Whether or not Hartenstein has to miss time as a result of the injury, Bondy expects Jericho Sims to see more playing time. Sims logged three minutes on Saturday after sitting out the past five games.
Discussing some of the potential trade targets who have been linked to the Knicks, Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter video link) says the Jazz‘s asking price for Jordan Clarkson is very high and that he hasn’t heard anything to suggest that the Knicks and Trail Blazers have had serious talks about Malcolm Brogdon.
On the other hand, Begley keeps hearing “again and again” that New York has strong interest in Raptors guard Bruce Brown. Asked on Saturday about those rumors, as well as the belief that Thibodeau is a fan of his play, Brown said he has “nothing but respect” for the Knicks’ head coach and can do “just about whatever [Thibodeau] needs me to do,” per Schwartz. “I play extremely hard,” he said. “I would think [I’m] the type of player that he likes.”

New York Notes: Claxton, Thomas, Randle, McBride

January 13th, 2024 at 9:54pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Nets want to keep Nic Claxton and he would prefer to stay in Brooklyn, but things may get complicated when he becomes a free agent this summer, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post (member-only article). The 24-year-old center will be coveted by every team that needs help in the middle, and the Nets could face several free-spending competitors when he hits the market.

“In our business, you never really know what’s going to happen as far as trades, contracts and everything,” Claxton said. “But I’ve been here four years, and Brooklyn has been … huge, played a huge role in my growth, and I’d love to be here. But we’ll see how that shakes out. I’m just taking it day-by-day … and figure all that stuff out later.”

An unidentified agent told Lewis that Claxton might land a four-year, $90MM deal, and other league sources indicated to Lewis that his value could more in line with the five-year, $100MM contract that Jarrett Allen got from Cleveland. Claxton has been a constant source of production, even amid Brooklyn’s recent slide, averaging 12.2 points, a career-high 9.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 28 games.

“That’s just our job,” Claxton said. “It’s our job just to stay in the present and not worry about not worrying about tomorrow, worry about this next game, whatever the next game may be. So just keeping yourself healthy; and everything, the contract, everything will work itself out. But right now, we’ve just got to focus on just trying to win games and then [for] me, just being the best version of myself for my team.”

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Thursday’s loss in Paris left Nets coach Jacque Vaughn with more lineup decisions, Lewis adds in a separate story. Cam Thomas helped to lead a fourth quarter comeback and matched Mikal Bridges with a team-high 26 points. Vaughn also praised Thomas’ efforts with boxing out and rebounding, but he hasn’t committed to moving the third-year guard back into the starting lineup. Thomas hasn’t started since December 27, and Vaughn said putting him in the starting unit makes it “pretty small.”
Part of Julius Randle‘s improvement has been an ability to avoid technical fouls, notes Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. The Knicks forward, who has picked up just one technical this season, says he’s learned how to control his anger. “It’s more about me personally than it is about anything else,” he said. “Letting me know that as a human being I’m growing and learning how to deal with frustration better.”
The 44 points that Dallas guard Kyrie Irving scored on Thursday marked a rare defensive letdown for the Knicks, per Steve Popper of Newsday. The team takes pride in finding ways to shut down the league’s best scorers. “The name of the game is to put the ball in the hoop, and my job as a defender is to stop that,” Miles McBride said. “If he did his job, I didn’t do mine. I like it kind of as an edge thing — if you think you’ve got to live with those shots, then you’re kind of losing that edge of always being ‘I want to get this stop.’ It’s treating every play like the last play of the game, because you never know what it comes down to.”

New York Notes: DiVincenzo, Hartenstein, Randle, Nets’ Loss

January 8th, 2024 at 8:06pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Knicks are undefeated since acquiring OG Anunoby. Donte DiVincenzo said the blockbuster deal with Toronto has lit a fire under the team, he told Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.

“There’s an energy right now that we have,” he said. “And it’s contagious. Guys are celebrating each other, guys are moving the ball.”

DiVincenzo is averaging 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 23.5 minutes during four January contests.

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In the four games since the trade, Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein has been playing heavy minutes while averaging a double-double (10.5 points, 13.5 rebounds). He’s also leading the Knicks in steals (2.3) and blocks (3.0) per game and has become somewhat of a play-maker (2.8 assists). “It’s fun,” Hartenstein told Bondy. “I think it’s definitely a role that I always envisioned myself being in.”
Julius Randle has averaged 26.7 points, 9.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game since mid-November while scoring at least 20 points in 24 of those 26 contests. The Knicks forward is initiating more pick-and-rolls this season and taking fewer 3-pointers. He’s also reacting more quickly to double teams. “The key to having longevity in this game is adaptability and being able to adjust,” Randle told Fred Katz of The Athletic. “I’ve always been able to adjust as my career has gone on. But now, I think I’m just more sure of who I am as a player. It’s all kinda coming together for me at this point in my career.”
The Nets were furious at themselves after losing at home to the Trail Blazers on Sunday, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post. They wasted Mikal Bridges‘ 42-point game in the process. “We definitely should have won. It’s frustrating,” Cameron Johnson said. “Very disappointing overall to not win this basketball game. Extremely disappointing,” coach Jacque Vaughn added.

Atlantic Notes: Siakam, Randle, Quickley, Bridges

January 7th, 2024 at 9:52am CST by Luke Adams

Since last weekend’s trade of OG Anunoby, multiple reporters have stated that their league sources expect the Raptors to also move Pascal Siakam ahead of next month’s deadline. Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca has heard similar rumblings, but one of his sources warned him to not “be so sure.” That source suggested that while some closure on the situation is expected, it may not come in the form of a trade.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they offered an extension,” the source told Lewenberg.

Still, a trade is widely considered the more likely outcome for Siakam, prompting Lewenberg and Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca to take another look at the 29-year-old’s potential market. Within his story, Lewenberg adds the Grizzlies to the list of teams that have shown some level of interest in the two-time All-Star.

Grange, meanwhile, explores the Kings and Warriors as possible trade partners in a Siakam deal, but says Sacramento – in addition to being unwilling to part with Keegan Murray – doesn’t seem enthusiastic about offering Siakam a maximum-salary contact to retain him beyond this season. With both of those factors in mind, it’s perhaps no surprise that the Kings’ pursuit of the star forward has reportedly stalled.

As for Golden State, Grange hears from multiple sources that the Dubs aren’t inclined to trade Jonathan Kuminga, since he’s viewed as a potential star who can help the team win in both the present and the future.

A report this week indicated that Kuminga had lost faith in head coach Steve Kerr, but the two men reportedly had a good conversation in the wake of that story, and the former lottery pick played a season-high 36 minutes on Friday. If Kuminga isn’t on the table, the Raptors may not have much interest in making a Siakam deal with the Warriors.

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After a slow start to the season, Julius Randle has played his way into the All-Star conversation, which could be a financial boon for the Knicks forward. As Stefan Bondy of The New York Post writes, Randle will earn a bonus of almost $1.3MM if he’s named an All-Star. However, the 29-year-old said he’s not thinking about that at all and doesn’t know exactly how much that bonus is worth. “I knew I got a bonus, something north of a million. But you think I’m focusing on that? I’m making pretty good money,” said Randle, whose base salary this season is approximately $25.7MM.
Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey is happy that his good friend Immanuel Quickley was traded from the Knicks to the Raptors, who will give his former Kentucky teammate “a little bit more of an opportunity,” as he tells Bondy of The New York Post. “He did a good job with the Knicks. But we know that’s Julius’ team, that’s (Jalen) Brunson’s team,” Maxey said. “This gives him opportunities to spread his wings, kind of fly a little bit. I think he’s done a great job so far.”
Is Mikal Bridges‘ recent drop in production merely a slump, or is the increased attention that comes with being the focal point of the Nets‘ offense – as well as a long summer with Team USA – affecting him? Mark W. Sanchez of The New York Post explores that question, with input from head coach Jacque Vaughn.

Knicks Notes: Randle, Hartenstein, Second Unit, LaVine, Achiuwa

January 4th, 2024 at 3:56pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Julius Randle was already on a scoring tear in December, averaging 27.6 points per game. Randle has pumped up his production even more following the trade that sent RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to Toronto, scoring 39 and 35 points in the Knicks’ first two games this month.

“I think the trade has opened up a little bit more opportunity to be aggressive,” Randle said, per Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. “So I’m just trying to take what the defense is giving me.”

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Isaiah Hartenstein seems quite comfortable as a starter. He had a career-high 20 rebounds and five blocks in Wednesday’s 116-100 triumph over Chicago, Bondy notes. “I can play this role. That’s the biggest thing,” Hartenstein said. “I always had the confidence that I can really play it, but was never really in that situation.”
While the addition of OG Anunoby has helped the starting unit, the bench is in a state of flux, Mike Vaccaro of the Post points out. The reserves only produced 18 points against the Timberwolves and once again against the Bulls. “We have to try and find a rhythm for the second unit,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “They need a little bit of time but we’ll figure that out. You’ve got to make simple plays right now, trust each other, make advantages for each other.”
While the Knicks have been linked in the past to the Bulls’ Zach LaVine, they’re now among the teams not interested in a swap for the high-scoring wing, according to Bondy’s sources.
Bondy details how Precious Achiuwa‘s New York City upbringing has prepared him for the spotlight of playing in the Big Apple. Achiuwa was also acquired from Toronto in the Anunoby deal.