The New York Knicks’ release of player jerseys at the Madison Square Garden team store surprised their fans. The jersey of the fifth-year Knick, Julius Randle, was missing from the pile. This omission led the NBA star to send a cryptic message that many speculated was aimed directly at the organization.
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The controversy stemmed from a fan-shared image of the latest jersey collection. The photo went viral for showcasing the abundance of jerseys for Villanova alums Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart. It even included the number 25 of their newest recruit, Mikal Bridges.
However, Randle’s number 30 was nowhere to be found. This raised questions about the former franchise staple’s role in the current roster. The absence of his jersey also led to speculation about his uncertain future in Manhattan.
Randle soon stoked the fire. He called out the Knicks while sharing the fan post from his Instagram story. He wrote,
“Word this how y’all feel? [New York Knicks].”
The drama peaked when Randle followed up with another story minutes later. He promised his followers he’d get to the bottom of it, writing,
“The truth shall come to light.”
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If the franchise’s actions were intentional, they were undoubtedly unjustified. For context, Randle joined a struggling Knicks in 2019 with the hope of revitalizing it. By his second season there, he had become a key player in the NBA. He even averaged an impressive 24.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game to lead the team to their first playoff appearance in eight years.
However, things took a turn for the worse shortly after that. The Knicks missed the playoffs the following year. This led them to strengthen their roster by signing Brunson in 2022. Since then, the focus gradually shifted to the guard.
Critics praised Brunson for helping the franchise secure a playoff spot in the 2022/23 season despite Randle averaging 25.1 points per game. His influence grew exponentially this year. After Randle was sidelined due to a right shoulder injury, he led the Knicks to their second consecutive playoff run for the first time in over a decade.
These events made Randle fall further down the pecking order. At one point, even fans began questioning whether his ongoing 4-year, $117 million contract was financially justified. Many argued that the franchise should consider trading him to acquire a star center to complete the roster.
Fortunately, Randle’s current contract gives the Knicks the flexibility to make this move. If the recent drama deteriorates their relationship, they may explore that option. Until then, the NBA world will be watching closely for further developments.
