The Knicks and standout forward Julius Randle plan to talk during the offseason to see if they can come to an agreement on a contract extension, sources tell Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
As Windhorst writes, the fact that Randle’s $19.8MM salary for 2021/22 is only partially guaranteed for $4MM made him – coming into this season – a possible trade candidate or even an eventual release candidate. However, the 26-year-old’s performance in 2020/21 has changed the equation considerably.
In 65 games, Randle has averaged 24.1 PPG, 10.2 RPG, and 5.9 RPG with a .461/.420/.809 shooting line in a league-high 37.3 minutes per contest. He earned his first All-Star nod and has led the Knicks to a top-four seed in the East with just six games left in the regular season.
Since Randle signed a three-year contract in July of 2019, he’ll become eligible for a veteran extension this summer, two years after his initial signing date. A new deal could tack on up to four extra years, beginning in 2022/23, though the starting salary would be limited to 120% of his ’21/22 cap figure. A “maximum” four-year extension for Randle would have a base value of $106.44MM.
As Windhorst notes, that would be a nice payday for Randle, but it’s significantly less than his maximum salary as a free agent — he might be in line for an even more lucrative contract in 2022’s free agent period if he has another All-Star caliber season next year.
A shorter-term extension for Randle that gives him some additional financial security while still putting him on track to reach the open market during his prime years would also be an option for the two sides, Windhorst notes.
Sources tell ESPN that extension talks between Randle and the Knicks this summer may ultimately come down to how badly the former lottery pick wants to remain in New York. Right now, Windhorst says, that desire is strong.
Contract comparison
Tobias Harris $180 million
Klay Thompson $190 million
I would like to see more than 1 season of this from Randle before he got signed to a contract like that. The Harris deal was horrible when it was signed, but let’s not act like Randle is at the same level as peak Klay.
It says his max is 108. Why compare him to those guys?
Take the money NOW. $106 million is more than enough for a quality life. The downside is you get hurt and suddenly you are in line with DeMarcus Cousins signing vet minimum deals throughout the league. The only real upside is the substantial pile of money gets slightly bigger. Don’t be greedy and just take the life changing money now.
Sounds like a great plan. I just hope he wants to stay in NY.
He had already had 1 major injury in his career. Take the Knicks money and invest wisely. If he has another great year he will get more endorsement offers in NY.
Unfortunately agents come into play and get paid on the volume of dollars that come in.
That is true, but these players need to remember that agents are their employees, not their boss. Just because they are rich and drive fancy cars, doesn’t mean they are in charge. An agent can give advice, that is their job, but the final word is always the player’s. And if an agent doesn’t agree, then fire him and get someone else to do the job. Heck, I’ll negotiate a deal for 1/10th of what they get paid. It’s not really THAT hard of a job.
Wish more players took this advice. I bet Oladipo feels stupid for turning down his offers. If you can’t live a great life on $108 million then no amount of money matters.
Boogie and Isaiah Thomas are two great examples of take the money when offered. Randle needs to ask Noel who will also tell him to take the Money!
True. Seems win-win. Bc if he continues to produce at this level getting him for ~25m/ per is a steal
He will surely lead them to the finals right?
I say take a little less if you have to, leave some cap space in case they wanna grab some help and get that chip
As I’ve been saying for awhile, the decision on Randle’s extension is threshold to anything else the Knicks do this offseason. They really need to know the direction this will take before the draft.
It’s likely just Randle’s call. But if he doesn’t want to sign an extension (preferring to become a FA at the end of next year), no hard feelings, but the Knicks need to be open to trading him. His role being what it is, the team needs certainty at this point in their rebuild. Other decisions are tied to being able to rely on Randle being here past next season (starting with what to do with Toppin).
Mills’ ineptness in structuring this contract is the reason this is an up or down decision, but, at this point, it’s where they are.
He should ask Nerlens what it’s like turning down a big contract offer and then playing for almost min salary the rest of your career.
Sounds like the 4/106 is a probability this summer. I think it makes sense for both sides (but it’s a no brainer for NY). But *if* Randle wants to bet on himself and go for a max it will get very interesting.
Randle is the engine for pretty much the entire offense. Also, he’s probably the bait to get a second star to NY. If he doesn’t commit a lot of things go into perpetual limbo next season.
This one is tough…
If Im Randle I take the 106 no questions asked
So from NY’s perspective…Man, heres my dilemma going that far out….Eventually (as in prolly next year) they are going to get a primary ball handler and probably some extra scoring….Randles niche seems to be creating the offence currently…… How does that mix with him getting the ball taken outta his hands more? He’s not great off the ball on O and certainly not earning 25 mill per for his D……
Im probably in the minority here but Id almost want to just lock in the 1/19 and see where it goes from there. Probably too much risk for Knicks to stomach risking offending him to a complete walk after next year so maybe a mini ext is best for both parties …he’d give NYK great great trade value as a fallback in this instance
I think that depends on whether you believe Randle continues to shoot 3’s at this rate? I’m a little dubious. But if he’s a legit 40% shooter from 3 then in theory he should fit well next to almost anyone