The New York Knicks are still undecided on the future of Julius Randle. Despite being a three-time All-Star and one of the team’s most reliable players, Randle’s recent struggles with a shoulder injury have sparked daily rumors about his potential departure from the team.
Recently, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst shared insights into the Knicks’ possible stance on Randle during an episode of ‘The Hoop Collective’ podcast. Windhorst described Randle as a valuable trade asset because of his contract situation.
“A very attractive $29 million, his player option for next season is $31 million. His value, if he is 100%, is more than that. There is no reason why if he is playing at the top of his game, he shouldn’t seriously consider opting out of that,” Windhorst said.
Despite the speculation surrounding a potential trade, there hasn’t been much movement in the market for Randle. The Knicks star is coming off a season where he averaged 24 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.
New York Knicks Weigh Options as Julius Randle Becomes Eligible for Big Extension
After failing to acquire Kyrie Irving in 2019, the New York Knicks added Julius Randle to their roster. However, Randle’s future with the Knicks remains uncertain, and he faces a significant decision soon.
On August 3, the Knicks forward became eligible for a four-year, $181.5 million contract extension. During his discussion, Brian Windhorst noted that the Knicks must carefully consider their salary commitments.
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“He didn’t become eligible to sign the contract extension until this month. He is, according to Bobby Marks, eligible for a four-year extension, a $181 million extension. However, the Knicks have to be careful with their salary commitments because of Anunoby,” Windhorst said.
Randle’s recent injury has also complicated his future with the team. He dislocated his shoulder and did not appear in the Knicks’ postseason games. In his absence, the team had to rely heavily on their star point guard, Jalen Brunson.
“Even though Brunson is a huge discount, that is a big salary on there. And they’re going to have to extend Mikal Bridges as well,” Windhorst added.
With these financial considerations in mind, the Knicks may explore the possibility of trading Randle in the coming months.
Also Read: Top 5 NBA Teammates Who Never Got Along With Each Other: Ft. Barkley-Pippen and LeBron-Westbrook.
