July 31 marked the trigger date for Julius Randle‘s contract guarantee, so the Knicks now owe him the full $19.8MM for next season, tweets Bobby Marks of ESPN. There was no suspense about whether New York would be willing to pay Randle that much in the wake of a career season that saw him win the Most Improved Player award and earn second-team All-NBA honors.
The real intrigue this offseason involves a four-year, $106MM+ extension that Randle is eligible to receive. The Knicks have plenty of incentive to sign him at that figure, as Randle could potentially make a lot more next summer as an unrestricted free agent, particularly if he puts together another All-NBA season. New York will have his Bird rights if that happens and can exceed the salary cap to re-sign him.
Randle joined the Knicks two years ago on a three-year, $63MM contract that carried just a $4MM guarantee for 2021/22. His game blossomed in New York, especially under new coach Tom Thibodeau, as he averaged 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists per night while leading the team to the No. 4 seed in the East.
There’s more from New York:
- The Knicks’ decision to trade the 19th pick in this year’s draft to the Hornets for a heavily protected future selection was done to free up another $2.4MM for free agency, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post, citing an NBA executive who has talked to team president Leon Rose. New York never planned to use both of its first-round picks Thursday night and was happy to get Quentin Grimes and Miles McBride after trading down.
- Even if the Knicks can’t lure top targets Chris Paul and Kyle Lowry in free agency, they will have plenty of options at point guard, Berman adds. With more than $50MM in cap space, New York can outbid rival teams for Spencer Dinwiddie, Cameron Payne, Dennis Schroder or Reggie Jackson. Restricted free agent Lonzo Ball remains a possibility, but the Knicks saw him as a better fit in February than they do now, sources tell Berman. Re-signing Derrick Rose, a favorite of Thibodeau, remains on the table, although the front office is debating whether to make a long-term offer to Rose, who will turn 33 in October. The Bulls may get into the bidding for the Chicago native.
- Saturday’s decision to waive backup center Norvel Pelle increases the chances that Taj Gibson will be back on the roster next season, Berman states in a separate story. A source told Berman the Knicks would consider re-signing Pelle at some point during the season if injuries leave them needing help in the middle.
Yes, Knicks can beat everyone on that list except Reggie Jackson.
Suns did not fully utilize Payne.
Even with the $2.4 million savings, that return they got is still unbelievably bad.
#19 pick for:
2022 #19-30 pick
-or-
2023 #17-30 pick
-or-
2024 #15-30 pick
-or-
two 2nds
The only way the Knicks come out ahead is if Charlotte ends up with the 17th or 18th pick in 2023 or the 15-18th pick in 2024. In any other scenario, Knicks lose the trade. One of the worst on-paper trades I’ve ever seen.
Or, they acquired the pick to package and trade later, which nullifies the issue.
It doesn’t nullify the issue, imo, because a 19 is worth more than what they received in return. Packaging a conditional first round pick that is more than likely going to be a 20-30th pick or possibly just two 2nds isn’t going to get you much, and it will get you less than a regular #19 would.
Heat have $96 million payroll for 6 player and Anderson dead Money
Duncan cap hold $5 million
Roster charge $5 million
Heat still have $6m cap room to sign FREE
If they trade the pick it wouldn’t matter. Also, the depth of the draft based on the use they get determines whether it was a good deal for them, provided they don’t trade the pick.
Padam I don’t think this draft was considered weak in the #19 range. Maybe by #25, but a consensus would say avg.
Way to get specific rct.
The #19 trade is not much better as a package part either. The only way it makes sense is if CHA is made assured of not matching for an RFA Rose wants— Devontae Graham. Getting Graham would get Rose respect from experts, if not too rich. I think Rozier is UFA but he could be involved instead.
Of course the “made assured” part is likely illegal per the CBA, but everyone could promise to keep their lips zipped.
Rose could handle paying a lot but probably does not want the reputation as an overpayer and prefer that CHA declined, which, they have too many PGs anyway.
A mystery that demands explanation.
Knicks FO still border line good
I’m sure there are 30 trades worse than this. And 2.7 mill is a backup Center who plays next yr. 19th pick is guaranteed 4.7 mill. Knicks only wanted the players they wanted. Not rookies to develop. Could not trade up to get them. They still got 1st rd talent that can help next yr. Which was the intention all along. Now did they lose out on that pick. Maybe some but time will tell. But we are playing for next yr. That’s what you need to look at. I actually like Kai a lot but he is 4 yrs away. Johnson is who I thought was the pick. That’s a bigger mistake to me. But Knicks wanted better players or go to FA. I can’t argue with that until I see who they sign. Plus now we have more assets to use in a trade. Which is what they are all about now. Knicks are about building a better playoff team now. This is not about 3-5 yrs from now. Look at big picture. FA will tell a lot more about these moves. Really lol it’s not that bad. Grimes and McBride are ready next yr. And have plenty of upside. This is backup for losing Bullock n Burkes. Both could be gone. Best thing would be to use them in sign-trade.
link to marketwatch.com
I agree, which is why I’m saying ‘on paper’. You’re trading 19 for probably a 20-30th pick or worse, two 2nds.
But the money does help if they actually use it. If they don’t use it or use it poorly, this is a terrible deal when you had Johnson available for the taking.
If you look at players available at 19. Garuba, Jackson, Johnson only ones who make sense. I’m sure they were praying Murphy would be there. But after he’s gone. They are looking at best help next yr. All three of those guys you are taking a chance with. All could be a couple yrs away. Look at Toppin who I still like. Grimes is a solid choice who is still getting better. He gets his handle together. You are looking at major talent. I like McBride a lot. You see him go up against Mitchell n Cade. This guy is a player. You coach him to run a team. He could be as good if not better than Mitchell. So I can’t hate on picks. You make good point. That we didn’t get value. But I think you have to wait on FA. But I can see their point (Knicks) on not taking young guys. Johnson is one I’ll be monitoring. To see if we messed up there. But I really like Grimes and McBride. Just don’t think it was that bad. Is all I’m saying
If I was the Knicks I’d be hesitant to sign Randle to a huge extension based off of one season. Let him play like that again this year and then sign him. I’d rather pay a bit more in the long haul than pay for an outlier season.
For sure this Season is a bigger test for the Knicks who could fall in the play-in
For the record, he’s done this before, just never got a bad team into the playoffs. His season in NO, he averaged over 21 a game, almost double digits in REBs in 7 min less per game and as a backup in half the games he played. We’re looking at 3 points per 7 minutes in scoring if we matched the time played equally.
He’s always been a decent player, but upped his game based on assists, increased 3pt shooting percentage, and the semblance of what one would call defense. I’ve been a bit hesitant on him as a smart IQ player, but he’s changed my view of him this past year. Give the man his contract, but be smart and ID that other FA next season first, then sign him so the cap isn’t an issue. They have to blueprint this perfectly acquire/retain the talent needed.
In Randle’s case maturity and great coaching were major factors in last year’s improved performance. That being said, we still need a quality starting point guard so he can be better utilized. The ball was in his hands too much last year.
Agreed. The right PG is what will get them to the next level. A CP3 type of player would be ideal.
I suspect Randle will his level in 2021/22 fairly quickly, since he has in the past. 4/$106 likely. I think he was not considered prone to slumps; just was notcable to rise up from the RS. Knicks should look to acquire players who do do well PS in case, not let him go.
Why do I feel like Thibs is all gushy about Caruso and is about to nab him !
LB for lb I think he will be a batter sign than DD
Tipically the kind of guy i’ld like to see Inna Knicks uniform
Caruso didn’t do himself any favors getting arrested this off season.
I’d be surprised if, after the RW trade, the LAL don’t make every effort to sign (or S&T) all their FAs with Bird or EB rights. Even if they have to overpay. Knicks can’t compete with that, or shouldn’t try to compete with it.
That’s the only way, except using the $5.9M taxpayer portion of their MLE, that the Lakers can sign anyone except for cast-offs that no one wants to minimum contracts. Even then their bench will be among the worst in the league, if not the very worst.
Lakers could justify losing Caruso now, post-RW post-arrest. They have excuses handed to them. (Me, I want him starting somewhere!)
No to Caruso… stay in LA. No to Schroeder, go away. No to Lowry no to Ball. No to giving up players for Sexton (Why). And please stop it with CP3. I’d rather have The Dragon for two yrs. Until McBride grows up. What we are missing here. Is FA is coming we got Dinero and we got assets . Toppin n Quickley are expendable. Bullock. Burkes. Noel can all be used in trades. Fournier and Dinwiddie been saying it since last yr. I know Thibs likes Powell. But Blazers would be dumb to let him walk. Gotta feeling Knicks will take a long look at Obrue. My second choice would be Sacry Terry at PG. Knicks should of worked the Kai trade for him. Makes you think right.
How can you use Noel and Burks in trades when they’re free agents?
Only if they are offered bigger money like a midlevel. I doubt they would sign them. Knicks can sign them and trade them. Not all teams can flat out sign them. Like Heat getting Lowry. Burkes is coming off 6 mill. Noel off 5 mill. Reggie off 4.7 mill.
Whether the draft day trade was a good one comes down to their assessment of the value (to them) of the players available at #19 – vs – the value (to them) of the offered pick. Nothing to do with anything else.
Anyone reading about the Knicks’ pre-draft discussions had to know they didn’t think much of the players at #19 – on. They were (supposedly) offering #19 and #21 for a picks as late as #13 and #14, and other teams were making similar efforts to trade up, and – IMPT -they were all rejected. What did people expect was going to happen if there were no pleasant surprises – TO THEM – when #19 arrived? Just draft whoever is next up in the mock drafts. Or, since it would be consistent with some mock drafts, just draft Grimes and McBride at 19/20 and smile?
I don’t know how good this FO is. I’d like to see them more proactive. But mostly I pray they’re not going to be among the many cowardly ones that approach every transaction with a CYA mentality, either having no plan or afraid to act on it if it means defying consensus. A FO like that in NYC has ZERO chance of being successful.
I think compared to past FO. We are more calculating now. With more of a true Vision. That involves the coaches vision too. Personally I like that. As NYers we will always have our version of doing things. It’s the real fan in us. As far as this draft goes. I’m good with it. I’m pumped to see now their words turn to action. On 2021 FA or trades. Might not be big names out there. But there are players that make us much better next year. So let’s do this and move forward.
This FO definitely had a plan coming in, and it was one with some history behind it. I think they’re trying to reset the plan a bit in light of the good record (poor draft position) this past season. There’s reason to be optimistic. I’ve been very impressed with Rose. He’s a natural leader. He’s assembled a team of strong willed, talented people in (Thibs, Wes and Aller, and others) with different perspectives, and is confident that he can manage them so that it doesn’t result in different agendas. Now the hard part. Some foundational personnel moves. It’s time.
Based on the deliberative process we’ve seen, their statements, and the reality of this FA being limited, I don’t expect them to sign more than 1 large multi-year FA contract. It will almost certainly be a perimeter player. Hopefully a PG, but it could be a wing, in which event we resign Rose or some other vet PG on shorter term basis. I expect us to be more active with FAs in Round 2, i.e., after the initial phase. I think they’d like a path to a bunch of cap space next year as well.
You will like it if they get Graham, and at a moderate price. Having gotten McBride should not shake Rose off getting another PG. I guess they don’t consider Burks PG-able… He is best as a Plan B.