Julius Randle denied a report stating that he requested a trade out of New York.
“That’s not true, bro. That’s just not true. Simple as that, it’s not true at all,” Randle said after the Knicks’ loss to Charlotte on Wednesday.
Earlier in the week, a reported rumor on WFAN stated that Randle had asked for a trade following the Knicks’ win over Chicago on Monday.
“If it didn’t come from me, it ain’t true,” Randle said.
Randle’s agent, Aaron Mintz, also denied that Randle had asked for a trade.
“That did not happen,” Mintz told SNY on Wednesday. “It is absolutely untrue.”
Randle reiterated on Wednesday that he’s committed to winning in New York.
“My answer ain’t changing, bro,” he said.
Later in the interview on Wednesday, Randle was asked about his relationship with the city and if it was strained.
“I’m cool. My goal and what I work hard for is to make the city proud, to make the fans proud. I play for my teammates, I play for my family It’s as simple as that, bro. Nothing more than that,” he said. “From the inside looking out it is what it is. You know? I understand that a lot of times you’ve got to just let your game do the talking and go from there. Like I said, I love the city. My family loves it here. I’m a Knick. That’s what I love. I love being a Knick.”
Randle’s production is down this season compared to last year, when he was second team All NBA and led the Knicks to the playoffs. His three-point shooting percentage is down a little more than 10 percent (30.5 percent this season). His true shooting percentage is also six percent lower than last season.
Randle’s play is one factor behind New York’s team-wide struggles this season. As the face of the team, he’s received criticism from fans and media for his performance.
“That was part of the challenge of coming here. I wanted to see this city and organization win a championship. So it’s fine,” Randle said Wednesday. “I’m built for it, bro.”
Randle’s son Kyden and wife Kendra were in the stands near the court for Wednesday’s game. They’ve attended most games at the Garden this season. Randle said that his son hearing the boos at home games was difficult.
“That’s probably where most of my frustration comes from. I have my five year old son that’s there who is obsessed with the game of basketball, loves the game of basketball and he doesn’t understand what’s going on. That’s probably my biggest frustration – coming from him,” Randle said. “The time I sacrificed from him to put into this game. He’s daddy’s little boy. He loves his dad. So for him to experience that and him being uncomfortable and having to leave the games and stuff like that, as a father, that’s what bothered me more than anything. But at the same time, you have to understand it comes with the territory.
“The narrative can always flip. I understand that. I understand it’s New York City. I understand how passionate our fans are. You just kind of have to live with the good and the bad.”
