The New York Knicks have some crucial decisions to make concerning OG Anunoby and Julius Randle this offseason, and how they handle Anunoby may very well impact what they decide to do with Randle.
The Knicks are prioritizing Anunoby over Randle and may even consider trading Randle if it means they will get to keep the versatile forward, via Brett Sigel of ClutchPoints.
Anunoby has a $19.9 million player option with New York for next season, but the general consensus is that he will opt out of his deal and become a free agent. He will surely have his fair share of potential suitors this summer, but the Knicks seem motivated to keep him.
New York is especially worried about the Philadelphia 76ers making a push for him. This would further stimulate the Knicks to retain him, as sources say New York absolutely does not want Anunoby going to its division rivals, Sigel notes.
Anunoby is expected to get a max deal.
Will the Knicks trade Julius Randle?
The Knicks find themselves in a quandary heading into the offseason.
They have a rather tricky financial situation, as they don't have a whole lot of money to work with and have to worry about re-signing both Anunoby and center Isaiah Hartenstein. This could ultimately result in New York seriously entertain trading Randle.
But would the Knicks move him?
Randle went down with a shoulder injury in late January and ended up missing the remainder of the season. New York managed to earn the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and push the Indiana Pacers to seven games in the second round of the playoffs without him. It should also be noted that the Knicks had numerous other injuries and may very well have beaten the Pacers sans Randle had they been healthier.
Clearly, that means New York can legitimately contend in the East even without Randle's services.
That doesn't necessarily mean the Knicks are a better team without him, however.
Randle averaged 24 points, 9.2 rebounds and five assists over 35.4 minutes per game this season while shooting 47.2 percent from the floor, 31.1 percent from three-point range and 78.1 percent from the free-throw line. He posted a rather pedestrian .113 win shares per 48 minutes.
New York initially signed Randle in free agency back in July 2019. He signed an extension with the Knicks during the summer of 2021 and has one more year on his deal before having the ability to opt out next offseason.
Randle is eligible for a four-year, $181 million contract extension with New York, but the Knicks would be paying him $45 million annually under those circumstances. That would potentially inhibit the club from adding any other pieces moving forward, especially if New York also re-signs Anunoby.
As you can see, the Knicks have a dilemma on their hands. Randle has ingratiated himself to the fans in the Big Apple, and he has certainly helped put the Knicks back on the map after a couple of decades of near irrelevancy.
At the same time, retaining him on a huge deal could have dire consequences.
We'll see what New York decides to do with Randle in the coming weeks.
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