Julius Randle went very quickly from being hated to being loved in New York.
After a frustrating first year at the New York Knicks, Julius Randle has raised his level of play to a level of MVP caliber. Randle’s numbers this season are not only fantastic, but historically great.
According to StatMuse, Julius Randle is well on his way to joining Larry Bird as only the second player ever to average 20+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ assists while shooting 40+ percent from 3. That really puts in the perspective how dominant Randle has been this season and, more importantly, his high level of play has an impact on the team in the winning column.
If the Knicks had been smart, they would have extended it whenever possible to make it part of the team’s long-term plans. Randle’s extension could help the Knicks quickly transition from a budding playoff team to a legitimate title contender.
Julius Randle’s elite level of play is already helping to accelerate the rebuilding of the Knicks. With the former Kentucky Wildcat stuck long and the Knicks remaining competitive, they will have a great chance to sign some free agency stars over the next couple of years.
The blueprint for the Knicks’ contention path is their crosstown rivals, the Brooklyn Nets. Ironically, the Nets also turned a rejected Los Angeles Laker ex D’Angelo Russell into an all-star caliber player and it only took one season to finish as 6th seed to get two mega-stars in. free agency in both Kevin Durant. and Kyrie Irving.
The New York market is so attractive that just being a reputable team makes you a prime destination for stars looking for a new home in the NBA. Committing to Randle over the next few years, along with continuing to field a competitive roster, will make the New York Knicks a highly desirable destination in the coming summers.
Kyle Lowry and Kawhi Leonard should be available in the summer of 2021, while Zach Lavine, Bradley Beal and Steph Curry could become free agents without restrictions in the summer of 2022. To be able to play in a good team, with a costar like Julius Randle , and in one of the hottest basketball markets in the world is a huge sales pitch for one of these upcoming free-agent superstars. Fortunately for the Knicks, Julius Randle has expressed a desire to stay in New York, according to the New York Times.
Julius Randle’s extension would be a huge step forward in making Knicks contenders.