Sports News on Yahoo

SNY's Ian Begley will be offering insights and analysis on the Knicks, responding to questions from readers. Stay tuned for the latest updates from him.

Any update on the Randle extension big bro - PlayoffBoundNYK

The only concrete update here has to do with trade restrictions. If the Knicks sign Julius Randle to a big extension, he can no longer be moved prior to the 2025 trade deadline. Players like Randle who sign big extensions can’t be traded until six months after the date of the agreement (more on that below).

Beyond that, I don’t have a concrete update for you. We reported last month that an extension wasn’t at the forefront for either Randle or the Knicks. Randle has been eligible for an extension since Aug. 3. The Knicks and Randle can agree to an extension at any time between now and June 30. Based on how things have played out since Aug. 3, it seems like neither side is in a rush to get something done.

Worth noting here: Randle is excited about this Knicks team and believes they can make a run. He’s looking forward to being back, healthy, with this group. He thinks things can be special with Mikal Bridges, as we’ve previously noted.

Also worth noting: The Knicks went 12-2 last January with a healthy Randle and OG Anunoby. Randle played a significant role in that success, averaging 25 points and eight rebounds before he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.

If the Knicks can play near that level this season with Randle in the fold, everything surrounding his next contract will work itself out.

For those interested in CBA rules around an extension, there are scenarios where Randle remains trade eligible after signing his extension.

If Randle declines his $30 million player option for 2025-26 and extends for three years and $109 million, he would be eligible to be moved prior to the 2025 trade deadline.

If Randle picks up his option for 2025-26 and extends for two years and $76 million, he would also be eligible to be moved prior to the 2025 deadline.

* Contract information courtesy of Yossi Gozlan. For more CBA/contract info, check out Yossi’s great YouTube page.

QUICK HITTERS

I’m fine with the way it all shook out but I’m surprised considering the reporting from @IanBegley on Jones and that it appeared the Knicks were priced out of his market and thereby settled on Cam Payne. Maybe knicks wanted someone and Jones’ market wasn’t there after all? — @KDanishefsky

Hey Kevin, I can’t say exactly where Tyus Jones ranked for the Knicks during his free agency process. But he was considering their offer (roughly two years, $10 million) as he navigated the offseason.

Jones also had at least one other offer on the table worth significantly more than the Knicks’ proposal, per people familiar with the matter. There were sign-and-trade scenarios with the Wizards and scenarios where the Wizards re-signed Jones and kept open the possibility of trading him ahead of the 2025 deadline. In all of these scenarios, Jones would have made significantly more than the minimum, people familiar with the matter say.

But Jones decided to sign with Phoenix for the minimum (one year, $3.3 million), because the opportunity to start for a contender was very important to him.

Neither the Knicks nor Jones’ other suitors could offer that opportunity.

Do the Knicks want to let this upcoming season play out before giving him that extension or was it part of the elaborate plan by Brunson to take less so Randle could possibly get paid as well ?? — Ty_Mactana

If I’m guessing, Jalen Brunson’s decision to take less money was not directly tied to a Randle extension. If the two were directly tied together, I assume Randle’s extension would already be done.

What are the chances Randle will run as PF/C with the second unit? Would he accept that? Would that not be a dominant second unit? — ggscanlon

Hello, Greg! If the Knicks go into the season with the current roster, Randle should get some minutes as the second-unit center. If I had to guess, he would accept that role. Randle would obviously space the floor well as a center. The question would be on the other end of the floor. Could the second unit play adequate defense with Randle at center?

If the Knicks go into training camp/preseason with the current roster, I assume we’d see Randle at center in some preseason games.

Ian, if Mitchell Robinson goes down again , teams will hold the Knicks hostage when dealing for a center. This team is deep but history points to him going down. Leon needs to get it done before the start of the season. — getjet70

You make a fair point, Mike. The Knicks will be dealing from a position of desperation if Robinson gets hurt early in the season. I know the Knicks have explored different avenues via trade to acquire another center. Given the current roster construction, I assume they will continue to explore their options at the position.