While the majority of the basketball community is laser-focused on the Paris Olympics and Team USA, there’s a group back in the States with a crucial dilemma. Yup, the New York Knicks. In what was an expected move from their side, NYC signed power forward, Precious Achiuwa, to a one-year $6 million contract. His agent, Raymond Brothers, had confirmed this much to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

However, it effectively sealed their chances of any trades this summer. And more importantly for Julius Randle, the hope of an extension also looks less and less likely. How so? Jeremy Cohen of The Knicks Film Skool and The Strickland provides the answer.

“The Achiuwa signing means the Knicks have less salary to send out in any trade this summer. Want KAT? Have to add Hart or DiVincenzo to Randle AND Robinson. Want anyone making $20M+? Hart or DiVincenzo goes out. Not happening. Makes a Randle extension more likely imo as well.“

We all remember the blockbuster deal of Mikal Bridges they made this offseason. With Jalen Brunson at the helm, the Knicks are planning to drive for a deeper playoff run this season. As such, Achiuwa’s presence comes at a crucial point. With center Isaiah Hartenstein leaving for Oklahoma City in the free agency, the ‘Big Apple’ needs more frontcourt help. And Precious Achiuwa, who played in 49 games, averaged 7.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and shot 52.5% from the field, will likely be called upon to take Hartenstein’s place as the team’s top big off the bench.

While that’s all well and good, it seems New York’s interest in Minnesota‘s big man, Karl-Anthony Towns, might still be going strong. There has been a bevy of trade rumors linking KAT with NYC. In early July, Casey Powell said on Knicks Fan TV that their interest in Towns arises from the need for a big man who can shoot and spread the floor against the defending champs, the Celtics. More recently, though, Rohan Rahman of SI.com also proposed a 3-team deal mainly with the objective of freeing up the Wolves’ projected luxury tax bill of $84 million.

However, for something of that nature to work out, it seems like the Knicks will have to give up quite a bit. To be more specific, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo in addition to Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson. That’s quite a group to give up. And one the Knicks aren’t too keen on giving up, either. So, what could be the next step?

The Knicks could very well retain Julius Randle and the current group for what could be a better deal soon

Cohen, in continuation of his initial tweet, posted two more threads to clarify things further. And we can find our answer to the question above there as well. “There is time before the trade deadline in February to make a trade. That’s largely moot if Randle is extended this summer though, as he can time it so he basically has a de facto NTC [no-trade clause] this season.”

“And maybe Randle isn’t extended! He’s therefore a prime candidate to be moved at the deadline. Easier to have Achiuwa’s $6M at the deadline than $6M impacted by BYC [base-year compensation] now. Factor in no deal for Randle and you have additional flexibility with his salary.”

Achiuwa, according to NBA Insider Ian Begley, agreed to waive his no-trade clause, per a source. So, come December 15th (the date when free agents who signed over the summer can be traded), he would also be trade-eligible. By that time, Precious Achiuwa as well as Julius Randle can build their value for a more lucrative contract with either the Knicks or elsewhere.

What do you say to such a possibility? Let us know in the comments below.