Highest Possible Signing Up to $181.5M! Knicks Have No Intention to Trade Randle; Brunson’s Pay Cut for Renewal Hints He May Also Stay

August 2 news: It is understood that although the New York Knicks have not yet signed a long-term renewal contract with Julius Randle, they have no plans to trade him. Earlier, sports journalist Fred Katz from The Athletic mentioned in his report that there are no indications that the Knicks are willing to trade Randle.

Randle’s current contract with the Knicks expires at the end of the 2025-26 season, but he has a player option for the final year, which means he could become a free agent after the 2024-25 season. According to industry insiders, it is predicted that Randle will almost certainly decline his player option unless he gets injured during the upcoming season. At present, the Knicks can offer Randle a four-year contract extension worth up to $181.5 million, but the two sides do not seem close to reaching an agreement.

Speculation about Randle’s future with the team intensified after the Knicks made it to the second round of the playoffs without him. This speculation was further fueled when New York acquired Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets. Randle’s future became even more uncertain as the Knicks now have six potential starters for five positions. As a result, Josh Hart, who started 42 games last season, might be expected to return to the bench full-time.

Last month, Jalen Brunson signed a four-year, $156.5 million renewal contract with the team, which could increase the likelihood of Randle staying. Brunson’s new contract involves a pay cut of up to $11-13 million per year from the 2025-26 to 2027-28 seasons compared to his previous deal. This could free up enough funds for the Knicks to retain Randle and avoid triggering the second luxury tax threshold.

Brunson’s decision to sacrifice financially for the sake of winning could set an example. If the Knicks’ top players are willing to accept lower salaries, Randle and other players on the team should also be willing to follow suit. However, if Randle wants to maximize his earnings, the Knicks may have to explore trading him.