New York Knicks: The 5 biggest offseason storylines

New York Knicks: Julius Randle’s extension

Julius Randle’s 2020/2021 season was magical. In addition to being selected to the All-Star team for the first time in his career, Randle also won this year’s most improved player award. In the process, he became just the second player in NBA history to average 20/10/5 while shooting over 40 percent from the three-point line. The first to do it was Larry Bird.

As a result, the Knicks have some interesting questions to answer when it comes to Randle. This offseason he will be eligible for a four-year extension worth in the neighborhood $116 million. As The Strickland’s Jeremy Cohen writes, Randle also has the option of betting on himself and waiting until the summer of 2022, where he could potentially make over $200 million on a five-year extension.

The New York Knicks can also offer Randle a two-year max extension worth a little over $54 million, which also makes him eligible for a five-year max extension before he turns 30.

Ultimately I think the first scenario is the most likely outcome. Randle’s ascension as one of the top forwards in the game is a rare development for someone who will be entering their eighth year in the league.

If you ask Randle he would probably tell you that he’s always believed in his talent and that he was always capable of this type of production. That’s what he should say. Still, given the former Kentucky standout’s suspect performance in the playoffs, the window of opportunity to lock in a super lucrative contract in one of the biggest markets is too small to pass on.