The New York Knicks swung their second blockbuster trade in three months on Friday, sending Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a first-round pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns.
The shocking move ends Randle’s Knicks tenure after three All-Star appearances and two All-NBA selections in five seasons.
Randle was eligible for a contract extension, one that figured to be tricky because of the Knicks’ already-stuffed cap sheet and Randle’s imperfect fit with the roster.
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Randle and the Knicks “had not made progress” on a deal. The Knicks had begun exploring trades for Randle.
Julius Randle has spent the summer rehabilitating from season-ending shoulder surgery. He and the Knicks had not made progress on a contract extension this summer, sources said, essentially signaling the Knicks willingness to trade him. Talks between the teams had taken place all…
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) September 28, 2024
Randle was eligible for a four-year, $181 million max extension. Some NBA insiders didn’t believe Randle would get that type of deal.
Figuring out what Randle would agree to was tricky, however. After Jalen Brunson’s team-friendly extension, paying Randle what he was worth would have negated the discount Brunson gave the Knicks.
Of course, Randle had little reason to take much of a discount either. He had already out-performed his current four-year, $117 million deal he signed in 2021. And though Brunson was on a team-friendly deal, he still took a max extension in the same summer the Knicks signed OG Anunoby to a five-year, $212 million contract.
In other words: why should Randle take less on an extension?
Randle’s injury history and tricky fit with the Knicks roster likely also complicated matters. Randle was coming off a shoulder injury that has kept him out since January. He missed the entire postseason run.
The Knicks, under Leon Rose, have now traded three core players who they did not come to agreements on contract extensions: Randle, Obi Toppin last offseason, and Immanuel Quickly last season. Of course, they also traded RJ Barrett, who they had extended in the summer of 2022.
It’s been said that the Knicks front office doesn’t like loose threads. With the Wolves trade, the Knicks got rid of three loose threads with Randle’s potential impending free agency, health, and fit with the roster.
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