"Better without that bum" - Knicks fans react to Julius Randle unfollowing team, sending cryptic dig after jersey removal from MSG store

New York Knicks fans weighed in on Julius Randle's cryptic shot at the team after his jersey was removed from the Madison Square Garden store. The jersey section comprised new import Mikal Bridges' jersey along with those of Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby.

The absence of Randle's shirt saw the forward take to his social media to leave a jab against the team and unfollow its X handle.

The fans though were relentless in their trolling of Randle.

One of the fans felt the team was better off without him.

"Better without that bum."

More responses followed suit, with @theofficialkat tweeting:

"LMFAO the Knicks would be better without him ngl."

@geebaby1997 believed a trade was in order.

"He’s getting traded to the pistons."

@yosoywald added:

"They don’t need him."

@deadmanxxd said:

"This could be something to watch closely as the season unfolds."

@iamzionp said a move was inevitable.

"They should be on the verge of moving on from him anyway, i mean look at the team rn."

The latest comes amid Randle's contract extensions that will determine his future with the Knicks. The trade rumors have heated up since Mikal Bridges' trade to NY. Multiple trade projections have been doing the rounds since.

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NBA insider says Julius Randle is "extraordinarily tradeable"

ESPN and NBA insider Brian Windhorst said Julius Randle is one of the pieces the New York Knicks can likely move either before the start of the season or ahead of the deadline. Between Jalen Brunson's meteoric season and their offseason acquisitions and moves, Randle's future with the team comes under scrutiny. In the latest episode of "The Hoop Collective" podcast, Windhorst said:

"Because of [his] $29 million salary, he is extraordinarily tradable. The Knicks still do have a couple of first-round picks that they can move."

Randle has a $31 million player option for the 2025-26 season. In his last four years, he has averaged 23.3 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists and made the All-Star cut thrice. Should he indeed be looked at as a trade piece, there's every chance multiple teams will look to avail themselves of his services.

Randle will be coming off a season-ending shoulder injury that saw him miss the second stretch of the regular season this past edition. If he does stay with the New York Knicks and the pair work a deal contract-wise, it will be interesting to see how he fits with the team's plans.