Julius Randle’s extension is the biggest question hanging above the New York Knicks this season. Coming off a shoulder surgery that sidelined him since January, Randle has yet to be offered an extension.
The three-time NBA All-Star forward has been eligible to sign a four-year, $181.5 million extension since August 3. However, neither Randle nor the Knicks are focusing on getting it done this offseason, according to SNY’s Ian Begley.
It appears the Knicks are willing to let their starting power forward play out the season without a new contract. The three-time All-Star forward can become a free agent after this season if he declines his $30.9 million player option.
And they want Randle to prove himself worthy of a new contract in a different role.
“We’ll look at some different things, because we have versatility – we could see Julius more at the 5,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said in an interview with NBA.com. “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.”
Thibodeau’s defensive philosophy is predicated on strong rim protection, which is why he always played with a traditional center in his lineups, such as 7-footers Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein.
However, Hartenstein left them in free agency for the Oklahoma City Thunder. With the injury-prone Robinson left as his only solid option at the center spot, Thibodeau is more open to experimenting with Randle as a small-ball five now than before with the presence of strong perimeter defenders.
The Knicks traded for former Brooklyn Nets star Mikal Bridges and re-signed OG Anunoby this offseason.
“I think we have versatility, where we can play smaller at times because of OG’s ability to guard big,” Thibodeau said. “Julius and [Josh] Hart can guard big as well.”
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