Julius Randle’s return can make the New York Knicks invincible! Yes, you read it right. Following the massive changes in the NY fold this off-season, many expected the front office to release the big man for a better deal. On top of it, rumor gurus’ tails were up as they speculated Randle’s trade for fun. However, amid these uncertain times for the 29-year-old, the former NBA player endorsed the power forward as the missing piece for the team’s desperation.
Randle is in this uncertain spot because of one reason: the shoulder injury. Despite his consistent numbers for the team, the NY side failed to make an impact in the previous postseasons. However, last season, the 2x All-Star suffered a shoulder injury and missed the majority of the season. And, simultaneously, the Knicks put out their first deep playoff run in a long time. Naturally, fans overlooked Randle’s return.
On top of it, the team has a stacked frontcourt with Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson. However, on the brighter side, the team’s up-and-coming center, Isaiah Hartenstein slipped out of the roster in the off-season, giving a ray of hope for the star. And to further solidify it, ex-NBA star, Tim Legler had an interesting argument.
In the latest episode of ESPN’s NBA Today, the crew debated the delay on Julius Randle’s contract extension. And Legler argued about why he should stay on the side. The ex-Warrior said, “He provides something that Knicks desperately need. A bigger guy that can go get his own shot.” Legler further went a bit technical in explaining how a big man of Julius Randle’s big stature could help a side that predominantly relied on the wing.
How will Julius Randle save the ‘desperate’ Knicks?
The Knicks undoubtedly have found their centerpiece in Jalen Brunson. The 6 ‘2 point guard, despite his size, sneaks through the lane and finds his buckets. And Tom Thibodeau, without any hesitation, styled almost every single play centered around Brunson. It certainly paid them dividends. But, anyway, it wasn’t enough to carry the team to the Finals. There are occasions when the teams could completely shut down Brunson at one end and completely lock down the buckets trade.
And that’s where Julius Randle comes into the picture. Tim Legler continued, “Everything revolves around Brunson so he represents that big Wing that can win matchups… the question for Julius Randall is going to be, can he dial back maybe his usage a little bit and fit into something that looks more relevant in terms of contending? If that’s the case, his value will be higher than ever, even though his numbers might take a hit.”
The 6′ 8 big man can play the role of the aggressor, paving the way for Jalen Brunson and at the same time he could score some buckets for himself. With a consistent average of 22.5 points in the last 5 seasons, Randle could expect a new role in the coming season. With the contract extension on the line, Randle’s accepting the new role could determine whether he would continue to play for the Knicks. Do you think Randle should continue to play for the Big Apple side? Let us know in the comments.
