Here’s a New York Knicks ‘Would you rather’ for next season. Would you rather have Julius Randle or Marcus Morris on the team next season?
First off, Randle’s contract goes into next season so he’d have to be traded. New Knicks team president Leon Rose is allegedly willing to trade Randle despite their previous CAA relationship.
In his first season as a Knick, there’s been ups and plenty of downs. Randle puts up good stats 19 ppg and 9 boards. However, teammates have expressed their disgust with his play. This is nothing new. Knicks fans saw it from the beginning. To much one-on-one, holding onto the ball too long and untimely 3-pointers. Randle’s 3-point shooting as regressed to 27% on the season. He’s also averaging more turnovers, 3.2, than assists, 2.8, per game.
Morris was traded away to the Clippers for a first-round pick and Moe Harkless. The Knicks had to make that trade. Getting that in return for a 30-year-old veteran averaging 20 ppg is not common. He also shot 44% from behind the arc as a Knick. It was the smart play.
Before the trade, Morris stated that he wanted to be with the Knicks long-term. There was also the rumors of Morris returning to New York next season as a free agent. It’s possible but unlikely.
Morris also embodied the old school Knick mentality. He was the team leader and a good locker room guy. While he can be a tad too aggressive at times, he brought a toughness to the Knicks which they haven’t had in awhile. He did shoot a lot, sometimes too much but someone had to. And with the lack of scorers on the roster, Morris was the best option.
Randle is younger and gets more rebounds than Morris. But fans would rather Morris taking the shots than Randle. While this shouldn’t matter, Morris seems more invested into the game emotionally. Randle has no expression whatsoever. He just doesn’t seem at ease in New York.
If the they have the chance, fans would much rather take back the veteran Morris over Randle. The New York Knicks need the veteran leadership over a ball hog.