NY Knicks: Why extending Julius Randle is an easy decision
By Adam Kester
NY Knicks: Julius Randle has dealt with the highs and lows of New York
Randle’s first year in New York was not easy. Already entering the season with the label of a free agency “consolation prize”, his big role with the team was under the microscope of yet another unsuccessful season.
It’s hard to find any prognosticator who saw Julius Randle’s transformation coming but here we are. His 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game have him as the front runner for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award.
Both his shift of play on the court and the attitude from fans and analysts have been a complete 180. Not only is Randle a reliable scorer and bullish rebounder but he’s evolved into a facilitator as well. The Knicks, a team without any notable playmakers, have been able to find a 6’8 250lb table-setter in Randle.
So what would a contract extension look like?
The NY Knicks can offer a maximum veteran extension to Randle of 5-years, $126.2 million. They cannot currently offer him any more money because of the fact that his initial contract was just for 3-years. Contracts can only be negotiated through the team’s cap space if the initial deal was 4+ years.
The other option for Randle would be to wait another season and go for the max contract in 2022 which starts at 30% of the cap space. That deal could potentially be close to 5-years, $201.5 million.
It’s a significant pay increase, but Randle could also just go for the immediate $126.2 million this offseason and minimize the risk of his next contract in case of injury.
New York has a star at Madison Square Garden who actually plays for their team… it might be wise to keep him. Let’s look at how he stacks up with other players.