THE The New York Knicks Star forward Julius Randle will have a difficult decision to make, as he could become a free agent after the upcoming season if the two sides fail to reach an agreement on an extension before the end of the season.
Fred Katz of The Athletic According to Katz, New York still has no intention of trading Randle because it doesn’t want to weaken this season’s roster, which on paper should be one of the best in the league after the offseason acquisition of Mikal Bridges.
“Randle’s contract is fair. He’s making $28.9 million this season and can become a free agent next summer. But the fear of having to pay him, especially when his skillset makes him such a specific candidate, makes it hard to find suitors willing to give up any package that would be worth it to the Knicks,” Katz wrote. “As I’ve reported before, there’s no indication the Knicks are trying to trade Randle, which means it’s hard to get a clear picture of his market.”
Julius Randle is one of the Knicks’ most memorable players
Randle is one of the team’s most important players and his absence was felt in the playoffs last season, when they desperately needed an elite second option to take the focus off Jalen Brunson. Before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in late January, Randle was averaging 24 points, 9.2 rebounds and five assists per game and seemed to fit in perfectly with Brunson and OG Anunoby.
With Anunoby back and Bridges in, New York will finally get to see what a full season with Randle and the revamped Knicks will look like. In the short time Randle, Anunoby and Brunson were together last season, the team went 12-2 and had big wins over several championship contenders like the Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets.
Knicks’ financial situation could complicate Randle’s contract extension
The Knicks would certainly like to extend the man who started the franchise’s turnaround in 2021, but that could require him to take a significant pay cut, similar to Brunson’s. New York doesn’t want to overshadow the second apron because they want to remain flexible in their ability to expand the roster, but signing Randle to his max extension (four years, $181.5 million) would severely limit their financial flexibility.
Therefore, Randle’s performance this upcoming season could determine his market value and whether the Knicks should commit to him long-term or sell him for a high price to remain competitive without paying him. New York needs Randle on the court to be at his best, but a complicated contract situation could change their plans during the championship window, and they’ll need to have a contingency plan in place in case the two sides are forced to part ways.
