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Julius Randle agrees to contract extension with New York Knicks

20200517_134556by:Justin Rudolph•08/05/21
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All-Star forward Julius Randle has agreed to a four-year $117 million extension with the New York Knicks, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The extension does have a player option in the final season, which could potentially extend Randle’s time with the Knicks to the 2025-26 season.

Randle could have waited until next year’s free agency to sign a potential $200 million deal. But thanks to the All-Star’s hometown discount it allows New York financial flexibility, which should aid the Knicks in fielding a team around their star.

Why Randle’s geeting an extention

This extension comes on the heels of Randle’s best season yet. A season that saw him earn the honor of the NBA’s most improved player. He was also named to his first All-Star team and made second-team All-NBA. Randall had career highs in average minutes (37.1), points (24.1) and assist (6.0). He tied his career-high in rebounds, averaging 10.2 a game. This is the All-Stars’ second year in New York.

With the leadership of the NBA Coach of the Year, Tom Thibodeau, Randle led the Knicks to their first playoff appearance in eight years. With a record of 41-31, the Knicks finished fourth in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks also finished the season with the fourth-ranked defense. He has helped bring back energy to Madison Square Garden that had been absent since the 2012-13 season. And now Randle’s contract extension gives Knicks fans another reason to cheer.

Randle came to New York in the summer of 2018 after finishing a year stint with the New Orleans Pelicans. He originally signed a two-year deal worth 18 million with the Pelicans. However, he opted out of the last year of the contract via player option. Randle was the seventh overall pick of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2014. He showed consistent improvement in Los Angeles, increasing his point per game and field goal percentage every year. But with the signing of future Hall of Famer Lebron James, he requested a release from the Lakers.

Photo courtesy of Wendell Cruz/Getty Images