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What does Julius Randle’s ankle surgery mean for his Knicks future?

By Jordanna Clark

CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 26: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks drives to the hoop during Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 26, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 26: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks drives to the hoop during Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 26, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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In news that was almost expected by New York Knicks fans, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Saturday morning that Julius Randle underwent surgery on his left ankle on Friday. The 28-year-old is expected to be ready for the start of training camp.

Randle was on track to play in all 82 regular season games for the Knicks, but he sprained his left ankle on March 29 against the Heat. He missed the rest of the regular season and was upgraded from questionable to available ahead of New York’s first playoff game against Cleveland. At the end of that series, the Knicks were dealt another tough hand when Randle sprained his left ankle again and missed Game 1 of the semifinals versus the Heat.

It was obvious that Randle wasn’t himself in the playoffs, which many attributed to his nagging left ankle sprain. He had a rough go of it in the 2021 playoffs and wrapped up the 2023 postseason averaging only 16.6 points and shooting 37.4% from the field and 25.8% from three. Randle looked like a different player than he did in the regular season, but it was his noticeable lack of effort at times during the playoffs that infuriated fans.

Julius Randle’s ankle surgery reveals multiple things to Knicks fans

The NBA offseason has yet to officially begin. Like last summer, the Knicks are expected to pursue any star that becomes available. If New York has the chance to trade for the right player, the only player that the Knicks should completely leave out of trade talks is Jalen Brunson.

Julius Randle agreed to a three-year free agent deal in 2019 and two offseasons ago after leading the Knicks to the playoffs, he signed a four-year, $117 million extension. This time last year, most fans were ready to see him leave following a disappointing season where New York missed the play-in tournament.

He bounced back in 2022-23 by being named an All-Star for the second time and making his second All-NBA Team as well, but another dud playoff performance pushed the majority of the fanbase to believe that Randle’s time in New York needs to be over. It was no secret that Randle wasn’t 100 percent in the postseason but with the Knicks having a better team than the one in 2012-13, New York has the chance to elevate itself to contender status this summer.

Unless his recovery doesn’t go as expected (and hopefully that won’t happen), Randle’s ankle surgery shouldn’t change the Knicks’ offseason plans. At this point, New York could have zero intentions of dealing Randle to a new team.

A lot can change between now and the start of the 2023-24 season, so while it wouldn’t be surprising to see Julius Randle traded, it’d be even less surprising to see him at the Knicks’ training camp in a few months.

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