The New York Knicks are hoping Julius Randle can lead the team to bigger and better things in the 2019-20 season.
While the New York Knicks are hoping RJ Barrett develops into a star at some point, Julius Randle is best equipped to be the team’s centerpiece next season. If he can hit three specific benchmarks next season, he’ll trigger a number of incentives in his contract per ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
“Randle earned $22.4 million in the first five seasons of his career, and he can make nearly that much this season if he achieves the incentives in his contract,” wrote Marks.
“On top of his $18 million salary, Randle also has $900,000 available for three benchmarks: either all-defense team, an All-Star selection and making the playoffs (if Randle appears in at least 65 games). Although all three are unlikely, keep an eye on Randle posting All-Star type numbers this season for a New York team that is rebuilding.”
The big man is the coming off a season in which he averaged 21.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game for the New Orleans Pelicans.
As the obvious focal point on the Knicks, Randle is in the best position of his career to be selected to the All-Star Game. Additionally, for the first time in his career, Randle is out of the unforgiving Western Conference. It’s much easier to sneak into the All-Star Game from the Eastern Conference (see Khris Middleton and D’Angelo Russell).
All-defense is tough to see Randle cashing in on because he’s not known for being an exceptional defender at this stage in his career.
Playoffs? Well, that’s a whole different story entirely, but there are believers out there.
