Knicks All-Star forward Julius Randle becomes eligible on Saturday for an extension that could be worth up to $181.5MM over four years (if he declines his $30.9MM player option for 2025/26). According to Fred Katz of The Athletic, Randle will likely need to take a discount if he’s interested in long-term security.
As Katz details, New York doesn’t want to waste the financial flexibility gained by Jalen Brunson‘s recent extension. That means offering Randle a starting salary of $40.5MM in ’25/26 on a new extension probably isn’t feasible. However, if Randle picks up his ’25/26 option and then extends off that figure for ’26/27, the Knicks would be in great shape from a cap perspective going forward.
Randle could be incentivized to agree to that deal structure because not many teams project to have cap room in 2025 when he could hit free agency, Katz writes. And nearly all of those clubs are rebuilding, making signing a player who would turn 31 before the ’25/26 season begins an odd fit.
Even if an agreement isn’t reached and Randle decides to test free agency next year, Katz says the Knicks have no interest in trading the former Kentucky standout, especially if it would make them worse, since they’re trying to win a championship as soon as possible. Perhaps that could change if Randle becomes unhappy with extension talks, but there’s nothing to suggest that will happen and the Knicks value what he brings to the table and would prefer to keep him, per Katz.
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- Backup center Jericho Sims has been fully healthy this summer for the first time in the past few offseasons, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. According to Bondy’s source, Sims had previously undisclosed thumb surgery two summers ago, followed by shoulder surgery last offseason. Sims, whose minimum-salary deal becomes fully guaranteed on August 16, has been working to sharpen and expand his offensive game the past few months, Bondy adds.
- According to Bondy, the Knicks plan to spend part of their training camp this fall at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. The team also spent about a week training in the same location last year, Bondy notes.
- In a subscriber-only story for The Post, Bondy spoke to former NBA head coach P.J. Carlesimo to get a better idea of what new assistant coach Mark Bryant will bring to the Knicks. Carlesimo coached the former longtime NBA player when he was in college at Seton Hall.
- Chuma Okeke‘s new contract with the Knicks features Exhibit 10 language, Bondy reports (via Twitter). That means Okeke’s deal covers one year for the veteran’s minimum and is fully non-guaranteed. If he’s released before the season begins, Okeke would be eligible for a bonus worth up to $77.5K if agrees to join the Knicks’ NBA G League affiliate in Westchester for at least 60 days.
I can’t believe the number of Knicks fans that want to get Randle out. I wouldn’t say it’s a high number, but higher than what I would would have thought. The Knicks are in great shape right now, and none of this happens without Randle signing here a few years ago. He’s essential to this team going forward, and has everything you want out of a power forward. If he’s willing to exercise that option and extend, do it. It’s a no-brainer.
It’s his own doing. His friction with the fans/crowd the prior year and times of disinterest makes him vulnerable. Now, with what we’re looking at going into this year he’s going to be a big part of any success, but as others on the team have demonstrated, he may need to take a reduction for the ‘team.’
Personally, I wouldn’t mind seeing the Knicks move him for Allen on Cleveland. Helps both at positions of need and the salaries match. OG and Bridges on the wing applying their outstanding D while Brunson and Donte play the perimeter. Hart first off the bench. MR off the bench. One hell of a defensive team.
Allen plays C. Robinson plays C.
Randle plays PF. Mobley plays PF (can play C)
How does that trade work for you? No OG or Mikal is not playing PF. Donte off the bench.
Probably has a lot to do with the Knicks performance being so good without him during parts of last season. If they can save money if that’s the main concern, or else gets a nice piece pack in a trade, why not! Randle is always getting injured…
Other than his rookie season wherein Randle broke his leg in his first game he’s played in 87% of regular season games he could have played. Other than last season and his rookie season the most games he’d missed in a season was 18. In today’s NBA that’s darned near Iron Man status. He’s far from injury prone.
In addition to what’s in the preceding post, the NYK had a better record with Randle, than without him, last year, and in prior years (although he missed very few games before last year).
He’s not always getting injured. This is a lazy narrative that seems to have come up because he got injured last season and was injured right before the playoffs two years ago. Go look at his career and you’ll see the guy is consistently healthy and plays a lot of games.
Nobody wants Randle out. Except talking heads who need the attention. Contract is always a good subject to bring up.
Non Knick fans always have a trade for Randle. That’s called UNINFORMED …..
Randle is a Thibs favorite. He’s here for yrs of contending….. traded RJ and Quickly. Not Randle y’all remember that…….
I don’t trust Randle in playoff time. I was hoping he’d be gone in a KD package or someone else
Two time all star as a Knick. Has been in one playoff run. When he had no one. We haven’t seen him in playoffs yet. This is a whole new team. It’s built on depth and Thibs culture. All we are missing is another big. Sims is fine till TD. Or they might trade for Duren or Capela. I’m good like this till TD.
I don’t want to hear about Duran. He should have been in NY from the beginning
I’ll start this off by saying I’m not at all a Knicks fan but am enjoying their success both on the court and in their offseason moves.
However that said I do think they need to trade Randle.
Obviously the goal now isn’t just a playoff win or something it’s to win the title. Comparing yourselves to other teams I think depth wise your possibly the best but I think true star power particularly on offence is your downfall.
You’ve got Brunson who is terrific but after than Randle as your second option just isn’t good enough.
In the 10 playoff games in 22/23 he dropped off from 25-10-4 shooting at 46-34-76 to 16.6-8.3-3.6 shooting 37-26-71 and his turnovers went 2.8 to 3.5.
That’s why I’d be shipping Randle out and Jerami Grant in via a third team. Rumours have it Portland is looking to move both Simons and Grant. Grant isn’t a true number 2 option he is a terrific defender, which your going to need going up against the likes of Giannas, Tatum, Siakim, Paolo and so on in the east. He has also shot 40% from 3 the past two seasons and over 80% from the line the past 4 seasons.
So although I think Randle is the better overall player I think in terms of fit, future contract, postseason match ups and everything Jermai Grant would be better for this team.
Here’s a potential deal:
1.
NY: Jermai Grant and Doup Reath
Portland: Cam Johnson and Bojan Bogdanovic
Brooklyn: Julius Randle and Mattise Thybulle
Knicks also add another centre which is great for the depth chart. Portland gets in a solid shooter in Cam that fits well with Scoot and Sharpe. Bojan also gives them a handy expiring deal and can give them minutes and serve a veteran presence.
Brooklyn gets an all star calibre player in Randle and solid role player in Thybulle.
Mattise and Ben little Aussie connection and mates from Philly.
2.
NY: Grant and Reath
Portland: Keldon Johnson and Blake Wesley
San Antonio: Julius Randle
Same again for NY. Portland this time get Keldon Johnson, against gives them a nice young forward to pair with Scoot and Sharpe, they also get Wesley in this deal. San Antonio however get Randle which is a huge boost for them and makes them a lot more competitive and shows that they want to try win more games now. Considering they aren’t giving much up to get him it would be a really good deal just out of their nature to be that aggressive.
3.
NY: Grant and Reath
Portland: John Collins, Brice Sensabaugh, a 1st and 2 seconds. (All picks from Utah)
Utah: Julius Randle
NY same again, Portland this time get Collins, Sensabaugh and some draft capital. Utah this time being a little more aggressive to add Randle and be a better side. Maybe they decide to keep Lauri and try do something with him. Lauri and Julius would be interesting combo, Randle is iso heavy and Lauri very much a catch and shoot guy so it would work.
I like looking at your trade ideas and thoughts but I do not like this trade scenario