Since the arrival of the Head Coach Tom Thibodeau, Julius Randle has been one of the main architects of the Knicks’ revival. However, the fact that he is a veteran and could be paid the maximum amount could affect his place with the team in the future.
The Knicks must be strategic with their cap space and cannot go over the second apron and this applies to the contract of Julius Randle. How much Julius Randle is willing to give up on his salary will decide whether he stays with the Knicks or if other alterations are in the pipeline. How will this situation resolve itself?
Julius Randle Extension Causes Cap Crunch
The extension eligible date for Julius Randle is Saturday. The veteran forward is coming off an All-Star season for the third time in the last four years. He is the first piece of the puzzle that Knicks Head Coach Tom Thibodeau used to build a roster for a championship contender. Randle’s 10-year veteran experience and his possible max salary can be a problem in the long run when it comes to re-signing with New York.
“Unless Randle, 29, is willing to take a substantial discount, it is difficult to find an agreement that makes sense for both sides,” Fred Katz of The Athletic wrote. “…The Knicks can’t throw away the gift Brunson gave them. They cannot go above the second apron this upcoming season…It means Randle may have to take far less than $40.5 million in starting salary to entice the Knicks into handing him a new contract this summer…The question that follows Randle around isn’t just about the paper he will either sign or leave blank. It’s also about the jersey he will wear.”
Randle’s Big Contract Dilemma
Julius Randle deserves to ink a big contract, that’s why he has to do it. Since the Knicks’ new management started the process of rebuilding the team, he has been an active participant in the process. He has been a first and second-line scorer in NY both before and after becoming the focal point behind Jalen Brunson. However, the Knicks have to keep their cap space to stay away from the second apron and at least have some amount of roster flexibility in the coming years.
New York wants assurance that Randle’s injury problems are not going to be a reoccurring issue. He only played in 46 games for Thibodeau’s team last season. On the issue of availability, the veteran boasts of a clean record in the fact that he has always been available for work. Last season was the only one where Julius Randle missed an extended period. Nevertheless, the Knicks would wish to avoid making the wrong decisions concerning their cap space.
He has to determine how much he would be willing to leave on the table. Based on the above findings, New York is likely to focus on cap flexibility and not crossing the second apron. In this case, if the two parties can agree on a contract that may backload his deal meaning he earns less in the initial years of the contract, then a potential deal is very probable.
However, if he insists on his worth, then the New York Knicks will be in a dilemma. Perhaps one more big trade could take place before Feb 6. With the extension deadline nearing, Julius Randle must decide how much he’s willing to compromise. If he accepts a lower initial salary, a deal is possible; otherwise, the Knicks might pursue trades.
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