2 weeks Ago
Julius Randle's extension is the biggest question hanging above the New York Knicks this season. Coming off a shoulder surgery that sidelined him since January, Randle has yet to be offered an extension. The three-time NBA All-Star forward has been eligible to sign a four-year, $181.
5 million extension since August 3. However, neither Randle nor the Knicks are focusing on getting it done this offseason, according to SNY’s Ian Begley . Brad Penner-Imagn Images It appears the Knicks are willing to let their starting power forward play out the season without a new contract.
The 29-year-old Randle can become a free agent after this season if he declines his $30.9 million player option. And they want Randle to prove himself worthy of a new contract in a different role.
"We’ll look at some different things because we have versatility — we could see Julius more at the 5," Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said in an interview with NBA.com . "I don’t want to do that for long stretches, it would take its toll, but to have him do it for 10 or 15 minutes, I think he can do it well.
He also would create a lot of (offensive) advantages." Thibodeau's defensive philosophy is predicated on strong rim protection, which is why he always played with a traditional center in his lineups, such as 7-footers Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein. However, Hartenstein left them in free agency for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
With the injury-prone Robinson left as his only solid option at the center spot, Thibodeau is more open to experimenting with Randle as a small-ball five now than before with the presence of strong perimeter defenders. The Knicks traded for former Brooklyn Nets star Mikal Bridges and re-signed OG Anunoby this offseason. "I think we have versatility, where we can play smaller at times because of OG’s ability to guard big," Thibodeau said.
"Julius and [Josh] Hart can guard big as well." Related: NBA Fan in Disbelief He Randomly Met Knicks Star at Wawa.
