Julius Randle

Julius Randle is apparently ready to accept the reactions of the New York Knicks fanbase, whatever they may be.

Marc Berman of the New York Post reported Randle is "ready to accept the fans’ fickleness that ruined his head last season" as he heads into the 2022-23 campaign.

Randle spent much of last season bemoaning fan reaction amid a disappointing campaign, issues that culminated with the 2021 All-Star telling fans to "shut the f--k up."

While apologies were made, Randle's standing as a Knicks cornerstone remains very much in question. Trade rumors have persisted since around February's deadline, though it does not appear the team was willing to sell low on a player it inked to a four-year extension 13 months ago.

The more likely scenario—especially in the aftermath of the Knicks failing to land Donovan Mitchell—is everyone walks into the 2022-23 season in "prove-it" mode. Randle and coach Tom Thibodeau will carry the brightest spotlight, as they're both the most high-profile figures on the team and arguably the most expendable big names.

Thibodeau could be on the hot seat if the Knicks start slow, while trade rumors for Randle will almost certainly perk up again if he doesn't return to All-Star form.

It's fair to point out the Knicks' overachievement in 2020-21 set all parties up for failure, but the NBA is not a business that runs on perceptions of overachievement. If you achieve one level in one season, it's generally expected you match or exceed that level the next. Failure to live up to expectations can turn a media darling into a villain overnight, as Randle learned firsthand last season.

We've seen the New York spotlight cause countless athletes to regress. Randle will hope to avoid that fate for himself once play tips off next month.

After the New York Knicks failed in their pursuit of Donovan Mitchell, ESPN analyst and former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy is not bullish on the team's chances next season.

"The Knicks have good players, but you line it up against the competition in the East, and this roster is not on the same level," Van Gundy told Marc Berman of the New York Post. "They could shock the world and be a playoff team, but I look at the East and I'd have to say eight to 13 is where they should be predicted. They're not even close to a lock for the play-in. A lot has to go right."

The Knicks finished 37-45 and were six games out of the play-in last season. They did get involved in the free-agent market, inking guard Jalen Brunson to a four-year, $104 million contract to fortify their backcourt.

New York hoped to add Mitchell to the fold but struck out on its nearly two-month-long pursuit of the All-Star guard when the Utah Jazz agreed to a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers last week.

Oddsmakers weren't all that impressed with the Brunson signing, with Knicks' win total currently listed at 38.5 at FanDuel Sportsbook. A one- or two-game improvement is not going to be enough to get the Knicks into the playoff picture in an increasingly deep East, so Van Gundy might be onto something with his prediction.

If the New York Knicks are going to acquire All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz, they reportedly may have to do it without the inclusion of Julius Randle.

Appearing Wednesday on SiriusXM NBA Radio's Give & Go, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith said the Jazz don't want Randle, but they do want RJ Barrett and six first-round draft picks:

Mitchell has reportedly been on the trade block since shortly after the Jazz dealt All-Star center Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a blockbuster trade in July, and the Knicks have been the team most closely associated to the talented guard.

New York was initially viewed as the front-runner for Mitchell, but things went silent on that front until recently.

On Tuesday, Shams Charania and Tony Jones of The Athletic reported the Jazz and Knicks had re-engaged in trade talks with the Knicks making a new offer, although there was still "no traction" between the two sides on a deal.

Charania and Jones also reported that the Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards are in on the Mitchell sweepstakes.

There is perhaps no team in the NBA with more ammo needed to land Mitchell than the Knicks, mainly because of the draft compensation they can offer.

The Knicks have eight first-round picks that are eligible to be traded, plus they have some high-upside, young players on their roster such as Quentin Grimes, Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley.

If the Jazz want Barrett involved in a trade for Mitchell, that is likely a sticking point for the Knicks, as they would undoubtedly like for Mitchell, Barrett and Jalen Brunson to be their core.

The 22-year-old Barrett was the No. 3 pick in the 2019 NBA draft, and he is coming off a strong season that saw him set career highs across the board with 20.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 three-pointers made per game.

Randle was an All-Star and won the NBA's Most Improved Player Award two seasons ago, but he took a step back last season and would perhaps be viewed by the Jazz as a salary dump.

While Randle averaged 20.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game last season, he shot just 41.1 percent from the field and clearly wasn't the same player who led the Knicks to the playoffs one season earlier.

At 27, Randle has reached veteran status, and trading a young, three-time All-Star in Mitchell is a sign that the Jazz want to rebuild rather than take in experienced players.

Utah is under no obligation to trade Mitchell since he is under contract through at least 2025, meaning the Jazz may be content to wait it out in anticipation of the Knicks upping their offer once the start of the 2022-23 season draws closer.

It appears the Los Angeles Lakers are interested in reuniting with a player that last suited up for the franchise in 2018.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported during a Spotify live session on Saturday (h/t Darryn Albert of Larry Brown Sports) that the Purple & Gold may pursue Julius Randle if the New York Knicks land Donovan Mitchell in a trade with the Utah Jazz this summer.

Stein added that the Lakers wouldn't mind taking on the remainder of Randle's four-year, $117 million contract. He is owed $23.7 million in 2022-23 and his salary increases each season until he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2026.

The Lakers selected Randle seventh overall in the 2014 NBA draft. He spent the first four seasons of his career in L.A., showing improvement in each season.

During his final season with the Lakers in 2017-18, Randle averaged 16.1 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 82 games while shooting 55.8 percent from the floor and 22.2 percent from deep.

After his stint with the Lakers, Randle signed a two-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, which included a player option for the 2019-20 campaign. He spent the 2018-19 season in New Orleans and declined his player option to become a free agent in 2019-20.

The 27-year-old went on to sign a three-year deal with the Knicks before agreeing to a four-year extension with the franchise in August 2021.

Since leaving the Lakers, Randle has improved his game in all areas. Following an All-NBA 2020-21 season, however, his numbers took a noticeable dip in 2021-22. Randle's 20.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game were all down from the prior season, and his three-point shooting plummeted to 30.8 percent.

Still, Randle heading back to L.A. appears to hinge on the Knicks acquiring Mitchell and, right now, things don't look great as talks between New York and Utah have "stalled out," according to The Athletic and Stadium's Shams Charania.

However, the Knicks are still viewed as the top destination for Mitchell because they can offer the best package of picks and players in exchange for the veteran. So while things may appear bleak right now, they could change as we inch closer to the beginning of the 2022-23 campaign.