Knicks' Value for Julius Randle is Highest in NBA

The New York Knicks really like Julius Randle and what he can bring to the table.

Jeremy Brener | Aug 23, 2024

Jan 25, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) controls the ball against Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (50) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

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New York Knicks

The New York Knicks have to make a decision soon in regards to the future of three-time All-Star Julius Randle.

Randle, who turns 30 in November, is a free agent at season's end, which could lead the Knicks to want to trade him to the highest bidder. However, The Athletic insider Fred Katz belives that is not a possibility at this time.

"I don’t believe there is a team in the NBA that would value the three-time All-Star more than the Knicks do," Katz writes. "Randle’s contract is fair. He makes $28.9 million this season and can become a free agent next summer. But the fear of having to pay him, especially when his skill set makes him such a specific fit, makes it difficult to find suitors willing to give up any package that would be worth it for the Knicks. ... There is no indication the Knicks are trying to trade Randle, which means it’s difficult to gather a true gauge of his market."

Randle averaged 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game this past season for the Knicks, but only made 46 appearances due to a shoulder injury that knocked him out for the year in late January. Randle was forced to sit on the sidelines as the Knicks won 50 games and the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed, allowing them to make a run to the second round of the playoffs, where they lost to the Indiana Pacers in seven games.

The Knicks experienced success without Randle, but that doesn't mean the team wants to move on from him. New York believes the team will be even better with Randle on the floor next to Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges in the starting lineup. And if the Knicks are right in that thinking, Randle will be given an extension in due time.

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Published Aug 23, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.