Will Knicks Star Return to All-NBA Level?

The New York Knicks could have another All-NBA representative in Julius Randle.

Jeremy Brener | Aug 31, 2024

Jan 23, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

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New York Knicks

When New York Knicks forward Julius Randle is on his A-game, he can be one of the best players in the entire league.

Randle, who turns 30 in November, was averaging 24.1 points per game before a shoulder injury cut his season short in late January. Had he stayed the course, Randle could have been on pace to have his best season to date.

Bleacher Report writer Zach Buckley believes Randle can pick back up where he left off and make another All-Star Game and All-NBA team.

"Randle has had some rough patches over his tenure with the team, but he has also earned All-Star selections in three of the past four seasons. He also made a pair of All-NBA teams and could've been in the conversation for a third last season if not for the shoulder injury that cut short his campaign," Buckley writes. "If he can post similar numbers on a Knicks team that improves its winning percentage, then he might be lock to earn both accolades again."

Randle was an All-Star in 2021, 2023 and 2024 while making the All-NBA Second Team in 2021 and the Third Team in 2023.

Having a great individual season in 2024-25 would come at the perfect time for Randle as he is set to enter free agency at the end of the year. While the Knicks remain interested in signing a contract extension with Randle at some point between now and next summer, there's always a chance of him walking until he signs on the dotted line.

However, Randle is chasing a championship above everything, and the individual success and honors will likely come right behind him if he can help Jalen Brunson and the Knicks win their first NBA title since 1973.

Make sure you bookmark New York Knicks on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

Published Aug 31, 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.