The New York Knicks are ready to claim the throne that they missed in their championship run last year because of injury woes. Even their star power forward, Julius Randle, could not help them in the playoffs due to shoulder dislocation. Despite his spending two months in rehab, the Knicks could not enter the postseason with their best player. Yet they made it to the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals with the help of their star point guard, Jalen Brunson. However, with the Larry O’Brien trophy as a goal, Randle must get healthy as soon as possible. Also, since the team has not signed a long-term extension with the 29-year-old, trade rumors are already all over the NBA community.

However, the 3x All-Star has assured the Knicks fans that he isn’t leaving anytime soon, as he recently updated about his presence in New York’s training camp. “Good and we’ll see, “ Randle commented on his shoulder condition and chances of him training with Knicks peers, as per sources. After Jalen Brunson has taken a big hit in the salary by signing a four-year, $156.5 million with the Knicks. Julius Randle is also expected to be taking such a hit for maintaining New York’s star cast under one umbrella. Apparently, the Knicks are already above the first apron by about $3.2 million. So they already can’t take a player through sign-and-trade, can’t benefit from non-taxpayer MLE, and can’t take more than salary in a trade.

God forbid if Julius Randle does not go with a discount for his team, they will be above the second apron. For now, the Knicks are $7.6 million below the second apron. Moreover, Randle is also eligible to sign a four-year, $181.5 million contract this year. He also has a player option in the year 2025-26 for $30.9 million. But the silence in the trade market ensures that both of them are not done with the deal yet.

If Julius Randle should go for a discount reuniting with ‘Villanova Knicks’, the Championship might not seem so far next season.

Julius Randle can awaken the New York Knicks’ hibernating championship ambitions

Despite not playing for the whole offseason, Randle averaged 24 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5 assists in just 46 games. If he settles for his contract for $10 million less like Brunson did, he can unite with Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Brunson. The Athletic’s Fred Katz even devised a way to keep the Knicks’ championship dream awaken. As per Katz’s proposal, Julius Randle should accept his player option and sign a three-year extension with the Knicks.

It will enable New York with flexibility next season as it will space out $9.5 million between the team and the first apron. Adding to it, the Knicks will be about $21.5 million below the second apron. It will bolster the team’s hopes to build around the ‘Villanova Knicks’ in the future. However, giving off such a discount is not a task to just pull off for every other player. It happened with the Los Angeles Clippers. They signed Kawhi for three years, $149.7 million, cutting off about $10 million for their own sake. However, Paul George shrugged off such hopes as he signed a four-year, $211.6 million max contract with the Philadelphia 76ers later.

So, the teams cannot always bank on players giving up their salaries for the sake of their teams. That’s what compelled an NBA executive to ask ESPN’s Tom Bontemps and Bobby Marks, “Is he, Jalen Brunson or Paul George?” Fate knows to which category Randle belongs. For now, the fans hope it to be Brunson. What do you all think?

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.