Some New York Knicks players including rookie RJ Barrett, were frustrated this season by Julius Randle’s approach on offense.
Barrett, who is accustomed to having the ball in his hands, was among those who were displeased with Randle’s tendency to hang onto the ball too long and dribble too much, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post.
The chemistry between Randle and Barrett will be something worth monitoring in the future, but Barrett wasn’t alone.
“A lot of players felt like that with the exception of Elfrid Payton,” one source told The New York Post.
Randle received a guaranteed contract where he’ll earn $18.9 million in 2020-2021, so more than likely, he’ll be back with the team unless there’s an offseason trade.
An Eastern Conference personnel person told Berman that the Knicks would be wise to avoid making Randle their go-to scorer, despite him averaging 19.5 points per game this season.
Randle did struggle when he was the center of attention for opposing defenses, as he frequently turned the ball over.
“He absolutely should not be your No. 1 or even No. 2 option, maybe not even No. 3 on a serious contender,” the personnel person told Berman. “He doesn’t have a good enough feel (and is) much too ball-dominant. I don’t trust his decisions with the ball. As sixth man, he would fit perfectly because I don’t think he gives you much defensively either. That’s more in line with a sixth-man role.”
