The New York Knicks' two biggest stars will be eligible to sign extensions this summer. Jalen Brunson could sign an extension or wait until 2025 free agency to sign a larger contract. Julius Randle is in the same position. He has a player option for 2025-26, which he could decline next summer to enter free agency.
As for the 2024 offseason, Brunson isn't going anywhere. At this rate, he can stay in New York as long as he wants. Maybe Randle will be back in orange and blue next season, or perhaps he'll be on a new team after spending the past five seasons with the Knicks.
On 'Run It Back' on Monday, Shams Charania said that teams are "monitoring" how the Knicks handle Randle's extension.
"Julius Randle, he's got a player option in 2025...Teams are monitoring this situation for sure, because how [the Knicks] handle that extension situation, if that is a conversation, what transpires, I think that will be interesting."@ShamsCharania on the #Knicks offseason… pic.twitter.com/9sN71RcNHF
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) May 20, 2024
If he doesn't sign an extension this summer, that doesn't mean he'll be traded before next season starts. New York could still trade him before the 2025 deadline or re-sign him next summer if he declines his option.
If the Knicks do decide to move on from Randle this summer, these three teams could be ready to trade for the three-time All-Star.
3 Teams that could be interested in trading for Julius Randle
3. New Orleans Pelicans
Randle spent one season in New Orleans in 2018-19 before he signed with New York. That same summer, the Pelicans landed the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. High hopes for New Orleans' future have since turned into disappointment. Zion Williamson has struggled to stay healthy, and the Pelicans have only two playoff trips (both first-round exits) since the 2019-20 season.
If New Orleans decides to re-tool its roster with a Williamson or Brandon Ingram trade, the front office could be interested in reuniting with Randle. Ingram is entering the final season of his contract, and like Randle, all eyes are on what the Pelicans will do.
Of course, if the Pelicans are one of the teams monitoring Randle, the biggest question is what they would send out in a trade. Knicks fans shouldn't want an oft-injured Williamson and don't need Ingram, either. Maybe Randle would go back to Louisiana in a multi-team deal.
Soon enough, New Orleans' offseason plans will be known. For a team that hasn't had any postseason success, Randle (who turned into a star after leaving), the Pelicans could be eyeing their former forward.
2. Los Angeles Clippers
One of the main storylines of the NBA offseason will be Paul George's extension situation. He and the Clippers could still agree to one before June 30, when he could decline his $48.8 million option to become an unrestricted free agent.
George is a player who was on the Knicks' radar last summer, but ultimately, they stepped away because of the asking price and his upcoming extension. If New York is still interested, the organization won't be able to sign him as a free agent this summer because of cap space. A sign-and-trade would work if he opted into his player option for 2024-25.
If PG13 goes to the Knicks, Randle will certainly be on the way out. Los Angeles would receive a younger, more durable option than its current forward. The Clippers are hesitant about paying George a lot of money but should be less reluctant to pay Randle. He's expected to be ready for training camp and is at his peak.
Would it be the best idea for New York to swap Randle for George? That's another story, but there's reason to believe LA is one of the teams keeping an eye on how things unfold for Randle.
1. Phoenix Suns
Minnesota swept Phoenix in the first round of the playoffs. Since Kevin Durant arrived before the 2023 trade deadline, the Suns haven't made it to the Western Conference Finals. Phoenix's future draft pick situation is bleak, so maybe the front office is considering trying to recoup some of the assets it has lost in trades.
Durant has two full seasons left on his current contract. If he wants to be traded (again) or if the Suns want to trade him, maybe the Knicks will be interested. If so, Randle could head to Arizona to help make salaries match.
In his end-of-the-season press conference, Mat Ishbia preached building continuity, but his actions could prove otherwise. Maybe Phoenix is keeping tabs on Randle, especially if the front office is pondering a KD trade (or if KD is pondering one).
Same with the other players mentioned, New York would have to be careful about trading for Durant. He's one of the league's all-time top players, but he's six years older than Randle. Since leaving the Warriors in 2019, KD hasn't enjoyed much postseason success.
Just because teams are monitoring Randle's situation doesn't mean that the Knicks are thinking about trading him. Maybe they'll extend him because they want to run it back next season. Based on what fans have said, that seems to be the preferred option.