Knicks Waiting to Negotiate Contract Extension with All-Star: Report

The New York Knicks have enjoyed one of the most intriguing 2024 offseasons in the Eastern Conference, this side of the wholly revamped Philadelphia 76ers.

Most critically, New York team president Leon Rose traded for All-Defensive former Brooklyn Nets swingman Mikal Bridges — uniting the 6-foot-7 swingman with his former Villanova championship teammates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo. The Knicks also brought in veteran point guard Cameron Payne and re-signed free agent reserve big man Precious Achiuwa.

Following a stellar 50-32 run and a seven-game second round playoff series, Tom Thibodeau’s club is hoping to build on that success next year. The Knicks are primed to be among the East’s elite, along with the reigning champion Boston Celtics and Philadelphia.

Read More: Knicks Build Out Mikal Bridges Deal with Additional Sign-And-Trade

Following the Bridges trade, New York got to work negotiating a series of extensions. Most notably, the Knicks extended All-NBA Second Team point guard Brunson on a stunning discount, which could pay massive team-building dividends in the future. The Knicks also opted to extend versatile combo forward OG Anunoby on a questionably pricey deal.

Suddenly, however, New York seems to be tactically biding its time when it comes to extending its other All-Star, power forward Julius Randle.

According to Ian Begley of SNY, Randle will not be tradable ahead of the 2025 NBA trade deadline if he does agree to a new contract extension. Players cannot be dealt until six months following the date a fresh extension contract was inked.

Begley had previously revealed that both the Knicks and Randle’s representatives were not necessarily in a rush to agree to a long-term deal while he’s still under contract. Randle became extension-eligible on Aug. 3, but can agree on an extension at any point before the end of the 2024-25 season, on June 30.

Randle has a $30 million player option for the 2025-26 season, meaning he could become an unrestricted free agent as soon as next summer.

Begley adds that Randle is fairly optimistic that, now armed with Bridges, the Knicks have a shot to be major contenders this year. The big issue, of course, is at the center position. New York can pretend to be happy to trot out Mitchell Robinson at center, but there’s no way the team won’t suffer a major qualitative dropoff from now-departed five Isaiah Hartenstein (who signed a three-year, $87 million contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder). Robinson has also had major health issues, so availability may be a problem.

A shoulder injury prematurely ended Randle’s 2023-24 season. Across his 46 healthy games, however, the 6-foot-8 star was his typically productive self. He averaged 24.0 points on a .472/.311/.781 slash line, 9.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 0.5 steals a night.

Now 29, Randle is hovering around the tail-end of his prime. Never a great defender, he has rounded out his offensive game under Thibodeau. He’s become a solid compliment to Brunson’s crafty brilliance, but is still on a below-market contract that could net serious trade value should New York want to flip him for depth.