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Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks reacts with Jalen Brunson #11.
Without a contract extension for the moment between Julius Randle and the The New York KnicksSpeculation about the three-time NBA All-Star forward’s future is rife.
But if the Knicks did release Randle, they wouldn’t get fair value for him, a rival team told The Athletic’s Fred Katz.
“Here’s what makes discussing a Randle trade so difficult: I don’t think there’s a team in the NBA that would value the three-time All-Star more than the Knicks.
I texted this question to someone who works in a rival team’s office and got the response I expected: “Neutral, at best,” he said. Katz wrote in his mailbag on August 21.
Randle is eligible for an extension this summer. He can sign up to four-year, $181.5 million extension, effective Aug. 3. But the Knicks, after locking up the star point guard Jalen Brunson toward a team-friendly extension and a trade for his Villanova friend Mikal Bridgeshave not yet offered Randle an extension.
SNY’s Ian Begley reported on July 7 that “extension discussions are not at the forefront for either the Knicks or Randle.”
Katz added that the Knicks are not looking to trade Randle.
Knicks make big bet on Julius Randle market
After a shoulder injury, Randle is entering the final guaranteed season of a four-year, $117 million contract extension He signed in 2021. He could become an unrestricted free agent after this season if he opts into his $30.9 million player option.
But the Knicks are betting on Randle returning after next season on team-friendly terms, following Brunson’s lead on how free agency looks next season.
First, Randle wouldn’t be the best player available, as Paul George is it off season, if Kyrie Irving And Jimmy Butler Players can also opt out of their player options. Other potential free agents include Brandon Ingram, Jonathan Kuminga and Houston Rockets young talents Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun, as well as Aaron Gordon.
Ingram is in the same boat as Randle, as the Pelicans aren’t offering him his max extension. Kuminga, Green and Sengun are all eligible for extensions this summer, but their respective teams are reluctant to offer them their rookie max. They could all become restricted free agents if they don’t get extensions. Gordon’s future in Denver will depend on the Nuggets’ willingness to dip into the second deck.
Second, there are no teams in the running for the title that will have as much cap space as the The Philadelphia 76ers this summer.
The teams expected to have the most salary cap room next summer are the Brooklyn Nets ($49.5 million), Houston Rockets ($30.6 million), Washington Wizards ($25.2 million) and San Antonio Spurs ($23.2 million). by Keith Smith of Spotrac.
Randle, who will be 32 in the 2025-26 season, will be at the end of his prime when his new contract begins.
Knicks divided over Julius Randle’s form
The Knicks are split on Randle, who is returning from a shoulder injury that limited him to 46 games last season, according to Begley.
“Regarding Randle, there are some in the organization who believe Randle can fit in well with this group and believe Randle’s play in January – after the OG Anunoby trade – supports that point,” Begley wrote on July 7.
The Knicks went 12-2 in January with a healthy trio of Randle, Brunson and Anunoby.
“Others are concerned about Randle’s future in this crucial season, with free agency looming and the challenges that could present. Additionally, some decision-makers aren’t as optimistic about the overall fit of the current group,” Begley continued.
Randle earned his second straight All-Star berth, the third of his career with the Knicks, before injuring his shoulder. He averaged 24.0 points on 47.2 percent shooting, 9.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 35.4 minutes per game.
His return to the Knicks, who have already become a Brunson team — being named team captain cemented that — with another ex-Villanova on the team will be interesting to watch this season.
Alder Almo is a basketball journalist who covers the NBA for Heavy.com. He has over 15 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is originally from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. Learn more about Alder Almo
