Tom Thibodeau Hints at Julius Randle’s Role

With training camp around the corner, three-time All-Star Julius Randle is reportedly ready for the NBA season. This is a timely boost for the New York Knicks, especially with the news that Mitchell Robinson is months away from returning from ankle surgery. Randle dislocated his shoulder in January and later opted to have season-ending surgery. With his imminent and important return, his role will be interesting. In a recent interview, head coach Tom Thibodeau hinted at Randle’s role for this coming season. Although he’s a two-time All-NBA forward, there is an increased possibility that Randle could be used as a small-ball center, especially with the team losing their starting big man Isaiah Hartenstein. Therefore, Thibodeau hinted at Randle’s role in a recent interview with NBA.com reporter Steve Aschburner.

Tom Thibodeau Hints at Julius Randle’s Role

Randle An Option At Center?

The Knicks’ only roster weakness is at center. It always felt like they were far too passive in the offseason after losing Hartenstein, who was vital to Thibodeau’s system on both ends of the court. Trusting Robinson’s precarious health seemed far too risky a proposition. Barring a late trade, it appears to be fluid at that spot. Thibodeau will likely mix and match with Precious Achiuwa as an undersized five. Perhaps the athletic but defensive liability Jericho Sims is an option. He may also consider camp signing Marcus Morris as a four or a five. It would also be wise to look at the market for other options.

New York is stacked at the wings. OG Anunoby is just as comfortable playing either role at the three or the four. Mikal Bridges‘ addition further adds to their forward depth alongside Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo. Bridges will most likely be the Knicks’ secondary scorer after Jalen Brunson. Indeed, it’s fair to argue that Bridges and Anunoby are the best wing duo in the NBA.

Regarding court spacing on offense, it makes sense to consider Randle as a small-ball five beside Anunoby. This would allow DiVincenzo to remain in the starting lineup, where he excelled alongside Brunson and the newly acquired Bridges. However, Thibodeau’s scheme always focuses on a rim-protector on the court. This is one area of Randle’s game where he is inconsistent. Plus, he would get beaten up having to defend bigs the whole time, which probably isn’t ideal for someone coming back from shoulder surgery.

Randle’s Role

“We have versatility – we could see Julius more at the 5. 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.”

As Thibodeau says, playing Randle at center would create offensive advantages and mismatches. Due to averaging five assists or more in three of his last four seasons, Randle can be used to spread the floor. He could attack size mismatches in the paint, while Brunson could pick apart the weak spots in a team’s defense. Meanwhile, Anunoby and Hart/DiVincenzo/Bridges can be used as cutters and catch-and-shoot wings.

According to NBA.com’s lineup analysis, when Randle shares the court with Anunoby, Hart, and Brunson, their offensive rating is 131.5. Including a phenomenal defensive rating of 71 makes it a net rating of +62. However, some context is this also included Hartenstein in the lineup – a massive loss.

Still, Anunoby and Randle have shown excellent chemistry in the limited games they’ve played together. Randle can flourish in this role. There would be less emphasis on defensive responsibilities due to Bridges, Hart, DiVincenzo, and Anunoby all providing elite perimeter defense. Randle could focus on rebounding, bringing others into play, and knocking down open shots in the paint. These are areas of his game he’s known for, so It wouldn’t be a stretch to imagine him in this role besides Anunoby.

Big Season Ahead For Randle

This is a big season coming up for Randle. The Knicks are a far better team when he’s available, but he has to prove he can be the durable player he was in previous seasons. He’s been a model citizen for New York as a multiple All-NBA player and three-time All-Star. He’s also coming off his most efficient season in New York.

Randle recently became eligible for an extension of up to $181 million over four years. Thus, this is a wait-and-see year, with neither side showing their hand about an extension.

Due to the money tied up into Bridges, Brunson, and Anunoby, the Knicks must be smart about distributing their remaining resources. Especially to ensure they remain under the recently introduced apron tax from the NBA’s CBA, designed to curb teams’ spending.

Furthermore, Anunoby has already proven he excels in Randle’s position, providing an uptick in his offense in that role. Thus, Randle’s role will likely be a mixture of playing the four and spending around 15 minutes per night as a center. If he can excel in both roles, he may be extended at the right price if Randle agrees.

New York’s approach to the center spot will be fluid, as there are no automatic options barring a trade. Even with a healthy Robinson, he’d only provide 20 minutes per night. Thus, Randle figures to be in the mix for a role he could flourish in.