New York Knicks: Should there be concern regarding Julius Randle?

Should the New York Knicks bank on Julius Randle replicating his breakout season? 

During last year’s regular season, Julius Randle was in the midst of the best statistical season of his career thus far and was leading the New York Knicks back to relevancy in the Eastern Conference for the first time since Carmelo Anthony donned the Blue and Orange.

However, Randle struggled to carry his MVP-level of play into the postseason and the Knicks were subject to an early exit at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks. Randle struggled mightily, and so did the Knicks.

They won one game against the Hawks before they were eliminated in five games. Randle, specifically, couldn’t get anything going and shot a pedestrian 30 percent from the field. The heart and soul of the Knicks were nowhere to be found.

One of the bigger questions for the Knicks heading into this season revolves around what version of Randle we’re going to see. Are we going to see Randle return to his regular-season form or will he continue to carry his playoff struggles with him into the new season?

If the Knicks are going to pick up where they left off in last year’s regular season, they’re going to need a strong performance for Randle once again. Either that or RJ Barrett is going to need to make a big jump in his progression.

For as good as an offseason that the Knicks had, they didn’t land a No. 1 option. They had the opportunity to but ultimately decided against pursuing DeMar DeRozan. They signed Evan Fournier, for similar money, instead.

Heading into this season, the Knicks are essentially banking on the playoffs being a small smear on Randle’s strong season. After all, it was just five games in which Randle struggled. It wasn’t an extended period.

Though, it’s still a gamble that I’m not sure the Knicks should be making. Perhaps they really believe in their young core, which essentially is their fallback option if Randle struggles this season.

Randle averaged 24 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists last season. I’m not sure it would be fair to expect the same level of production from him this season. That said, if the Knicks are going to take a step up in the conference, especially with the way many of the other teams have improved, they’re going to need the best version of Randle possible.

And if Randle can’t be that, for one reason or another, it’s difficult envisioning the Knicks taking a tangible step up in the East standings this season. While it may not be time to be concerned about this team yet, I can’t help but wonder if some of their offseason moves (considering the way they view Randle) will end up costing them in the immediate future.