NY Knicks: Why extending Julius Randle is an easy decision

Julius Randle’s heart is with the NY Knicks

Being the leader of the Knicks is more than being an elite player. It requires the utmost mental fortitude, composure, and exemplary leadership. If you love the city, the city will love you back. If you can be “the guy” on the New York Knicks, you will be one of the most celebrated athletes in pro sports.

We all read his Player’s Tribune article. Julius Randle has endured intense suffering, doubt, and frustration to get to where he’s at now. The transformation has not only been his play on the court but his growth into a leadership position. He’s taken the team’s younger players under his wing and instilled in them the monster they could build together in New York.

From wearing a Dipset shirt in his first-ever appearance as a NY Knick in the stands at the 2019 summer league to being vocal about how much he loves being the leader of New York basketball… can we pinch ourselves for a second? Throw some cold water on our face? Is this not what we’ve been dreaming about?

I’m not just talking about the success of the season, I’m talking about having an All-Star player who LOVES being here. Someone who wants to win for the city. Someone who is preaching about the culture of New York to the younger guys. He says all the right things. Most importantly, he’s been the player who has finally made the NY Knicks an attractive destination.

So I don’t want to hear about other “stars”. I don’t want to hear about “cap space”. I don’t want to hear about “slight overpay”.

Julius Randle has essentially arisen from the ashes of a typical chaotic Knicks mess and blossomed into the centerpiece of a top-10 team in the league.

A team that has been a laughing stock for decades. A team who has been the but end of jokes not only for their lackluster play on the court but the wild media created imaginations of magically acquiring superstars to revive New York basketball.

Now, they have someone who has not only repaired the actual basketball product but has restored the allure of playing for the NY Knicks. This is just the first year of the transformation and the foundation is set.

Pay this man whatever he wants.