Knicks Rumors: Julius Randle Not Being Shopped in Trades amid Hunt for Another Star

Adam WellsMay 24, 2024

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

After a thrilling postseason run that ended in large part due to a series of injuries, the New York Knicks have a busy offseason ahead of them in trying to find missing pieces that can put them over the top.

Per The Athletic’s Fred Katz, the Knicks are “not trying to trade” Julius Randle at this point even though they “recognize that their quest for a star could require having to do so.”

Randle missed New York’s postseason run due to a dislocated shoulder he suffered during a Jan. 27 game against the Miami Heat. He attempted to rehab the injury with the hope of returning before deciding to have surgery in April.

In some ways, the Knicks’ success without Randle could embolden them to shop him in trades this summer if they have an opportunity to add another star-level player.

They earned the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the playoffs. It could be argued they would have beaten the Indiana Pacers if Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson and OG Anunoby weren’t dealing with injuries in the conference semifinals.

Another complicating factor for Randle is his contract situation. Katz noted the three-time All-Star is eligible to sign an extension worth up to $181.5 million over four years as of Aug. 3.

Anunoby’s contract figures to be a higher priority since he can opt out of his $19.9 million salary and sign a new deal worth up to $117 million over four years.

Per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Knicks enter the offseason $17 million below the tax line and $23 million below the first apron based on their current salary structure. They can clear $17 million by waiving Bojan Bogdanović by June 28.

Katz reported on Sunday the Knicks are approaching this offseason “as the time to trade for the next big name” after their success in 2023-24.

Karl-Anthony Towns, Paul George and Donovan Mitchell are among the potential targets named in the report. Mitchell has been linked to the Knicks for years, but how he would fit alongside Brunson is unclear.

Randle has been a crucial bridge from the previous era of the Knicks to where they currently are. The 29-year-old has made the All-Star team three times in the past four seasons. He averaged 24.0 points on 47.2 percent shooting and 9.2 rebounds per game in 36 starts this season.