Julius Randle, Knicks agree to four-year extension
NEW YORK — The Knicks have locked up their All-Star.
In a somewhat surprising move given his more potentially lucrative option, Julius Randle agreed to a four-year, $106 million extension, a source confirmed, which includes a player option for the 2025-26 season. The extension followed Randle’s breakthrough campaign under Tom Thibodeau, when the power forward carried New York to the fourth seed and earned Second Team All-NBA and Most Improved Player honors.
The contract can reach $117 million with bonuses.
Extending this offseason was the safe choice for Randle, who would’ve been eligible for a $200 million max deal if he became an unrestricted free agent in 2022. But waiting also carries risk, and Randle, 26, doesn’t have a history of greatness to fall back on.
His averages last season of 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 41% 3-point shooting were all career highs after getting drafted in 2014. By extending now, Randle ensures a career-high salary while committing long term to the franchise that fostered his birth as a star.
The extension starts in 2022 after Randle finishes his current deal at about $22 million million salary this season.
“There’s no better place than New York, I felt, to do it; no organization or fan base that’s hungrier for a championship-caliber team than here in New York,” Randle said during last season in a forecasting quote. “For me, I wanted to be a part of that. Honestly, for the rest of my career, that’s really what I want. I wanted to be a Knick, I wanted to be one of the greats here. That was my thinking going into it.
“Hopefully, I can continue to be a part of that, hopefully keep building here, in the future bring a championship or championships here, because honestly I don’t think there would be any place better to win than here.”
For the Knicks, it’s an obvious win. Randle’s production would’ve commanded a higher salary if he were an unrestricted free agent, and now they’re getting his prime years on a reasonable deal. For perspective, here are lesser players who will get a higher salary than Randle after his extension kicks in: Kevin Love, John Wall, CJ McCollum, Tobias Harris, John Collins, Al Horford, Gordon Hayward, Andrew Wiggins, D’Angelo Russell, Kemba Walker and Pascal Siakam.
Still, there should be questions about the conveyance of Randle’s breakthrough season. Only a year ago, Randle’s contract and presence were considered a hindrance to New York’s rebuild. He was coming off a disappointing COVID-19-shortened season and the Knicks were so skeptical they drafted his replacement, Obi Toppin, with the ninth overall pick.
Of more recent concern was Randle’s relapse in the playoffs, when he buckled under the double teams and defensive pressure administered by the Hawks. It was Randle’s first postseason, and he shot under 30% while averaging more turnovers (4.6) than assists (4.0).
But in between, Randle was spectacular. He led the NBA in minutes and quickly morphed into a fan favorite who was regularly serenaded with ‘MVP’ chants at MSG.
If that continues at four years, $106 million, it’s a steal for the Knicks.
