Stephen A. Smith isn’t too happy with his New York Knicks right and wants them to trade Julius Randle.
The die-hard fan of the team and sports commentator was frustrated and said on ESPN’s Get Up show that he “vomited” after last night’s game four loss.
“I’m not disgusted more with anybody than I am with Julius Randle,” Smith said.
“I’m on the verge of asking for him to be traded.”
And afterward, he went on his talk show ESPN First Take and said “I think they should trade him.”
And he added that “I’d rather have Karl-Anthony Towns than Julius Randle.”
That hypothetical wouldn’t be such a bad trade.
Towns has averaged 23 points per game in his career compared to Randle’s 18.7.
He also has been a better rebounder.
Smith, like many Knicks fans, is frustrated after going down 3-1 to the 8th-seed Miami Heat.
The Knicks were out-rebounded 44-35 – a big reason why it lost game three.
Another is the Knicks failed to make enough three-pointers, which has been a problem all series.
It’s hard to come away from that game and blame Randle, who led the Knicks with nine rebounds and eight of his 13 shots.
Trading him for the sake of getting rid of Randle just wouldn’t make sense, as he is a two-time all-star who could be a difference-maker for the Knicks.
If the Knicks do lose the series to the Heat, the team should look to build around both Jalen Brunson and Randle.
Some of the top free agent options for the Knicks in 2023 are James Harden – and yes even Kristaps Porziņģis, which the teams should consider a reunion with.
