Julius Randle Appears to Shade Knicks on IG amid Contract Buzz, NBA Trade Rumors

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVSeptember 7, 2024

Harry How/Getty Images

New York Knicks star Julius Randle posted a cryptic message on social media after a fan photo made the rounds purportedly showing the team store not selling his jersey.

Randle reposted the photo in an Instagram story and then wrote, “The truth shall come to light.”

NBACentral @TheDunkCentralLooks like Julius Randle is sending a message to the Knicks 👀 pic.twitter.com/GM8VQ1m9jV

It appears the Knicks store at Madison Square Garden does in fact have Randle’s jersey on display, so maybe that’s the “truth” he was referencing.

KnicksMuse @KnicksMuseThis photograph was taken today.

Julius Randle jerseys are available in the MSG store.

(via @nso_zay) https://t.co/I60QeXrjJD pic.twitter.com/OZLsDk54Ck

This comes against the backdrop of the 6’8″ forward’s long-term future in the Big Apple being in some doubt. He’s eligible to become a free agent next offseason and him declining his $30.9 million player option seems a likely outcome with the salary cap going up and up.

Extending Randle is a tricky call for the Knicks because they’ve already committed a lot of money to OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson. Next on the list will be Mikal Bridges, who can hit free agency in 2026.

Paying Randle at his market rate on top of that would significantly restrict New York’s financial flexibility moving forward. He nonetheless remains on the roster despite what might be an expiring contract, though that could be partially down to other factors.

The Athletic’s Fred Katz reported on Aug. 21 that “I don’t believe there is a team in the NBA that would value the three-time All-Star more than the Knicks do.” He cited one front-office official who said Randle’s trade value is “neutral, at best.”

So don’t expect his jersey to be leaving the MSG store anytime soon.