UPDATE: D'Antoni has confirmed Randolph may not be playing much for the foreseeable future.
"I told him, right now, this is all about the team and I've got to go with my gut and he might play and he might not," D'Antoni said, according to the New York Daily News. "Right now, it's all about the Knicks. We'll worry about individuals after we get out of the hole a little bit. And then we'll start talking about long-term strategies. But right now, it's just to win today."
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When the Knicks acquired Anthony Randolph in a sign-and-trade with Golden State for David Lee over the summer, many believed the talented, yet inconsistent youngster, free from Don Nelson, would thrive in Mike D'Antoni's system.
There was even talk he could grab a spot in the starting lineup if he performed well.
But so far, things have worked out far different. Randolph had a rough preseason, and an ankle injury had him out for part of this young season. Randolph is only averaging 11.2 minutes a game, and Wednesday night in the team's win over the Kings, he received a DNP from coach D'Antoni.
"There's been too many mistakes, not enough rebounds, blocked shots or accurate jump shots," wrote Marc Beman of the New York Post. "He's more apt to shoot an airball from 20 feet than sink it. Turnovers have been an issue ... It will be interesting to see how D'Antoni plays it from here. They broke their six-game losing streak without him. D'Antoni, whose been under fire the past few days, right now cares more about his future than Randolph's."
As Dec. 15 creeps closer -- the date signings from over the summer can be dealt in trades, and when Carmelo Anthony trade talks may again pick up -- we suppose it's possible the Knicks may dangle Randolph as a young talent, which the Nuggets are reportedly seeking in return for Anthony.
But his resume so far this season isn't exactly one Denver may be looking at with excitement right now.
-- Ryan Corazza