The perfect contract: You rarely get that in sports. Of course, we may revisit this down the line and think otherwise, but for now, for this moment in time, Julius Randle’s extension with the New York Knicks is perfect for business. In 2020-21, while leading the Knicks to a No. 4 seed, widely outperforming the public’s preseason expectations, Randle averaged 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game on 46 / 41 / 81 shooting splits from the field, three-point range, and the free-throw line. Following his first All-Star campaign and 2021 Most Improved Player honor, the bully-ball four appeared in his first playoff series, where he was memorably lackluster, posting 18.0 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, but only shooting 30 percent from the field and 33 percent from three. The Knicks went down in five to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round. However, the wipeout gentleman’s sweep grew more justifiable post-series, as the Trae Young-led Georgia-based club continued to march all the way to Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost to the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks. Randle will make around $20 million this coming season, which is the final of a three-year deal he signed with the club after they missed out on Kevin Durant in the summer of 2019. The $20 million or so number, or anywhere in that neighborhood, is a bargain for someone coming off Randle’s 2020-21 in the modern NBA. The extension he just signed is a wise one as well: $106.5 million guaranteed for the next four seasons, beginning in 2022, where Randle will be entering season-nine in the league. The deal is reportedly worth up to $117 million depending on incentives, putting him at roughly $25-$30 million a year annually after this coming season. According to ESPN NBA Analyst and Front Office Insider Bobby Marks, the incentives that could bring the deal to $117 million are both individual accolades and team-based accomplishments, as he noted in a tweet earlier today. Randle’s still only 26, and when the new contract expires in 2026, he’ll be 31 that summer. As Marks did note, however, the final season is a player option, which is customary in the NBA, and would give Randle the choice of reentering the market in 2025 while months away from turning 31. [Shoutout to the November babies!] The $106.5 million was the max New York could offer Randle this summer. Had Randle opted to play out this contract and sign a new one next summer, he could’ve been offered more, but it obviously depended on how this next season goes. It’ll be difficult for Randle to replicate such a fantastic 2020-21, but if you’re the Knicks, you have a better team around him, so you might not even need to. For the Knicks, big contractual decisions loom on others that the organization will gain intel on throughout the season. Most notable here: 2019 No. 3 overall pick RJ Barrett. Barrett is extension eligible beginning next summer, and if he has a huge third year, it could result in a max contract. Mitchell Robinson, who is entering the last of a four-year deal, is also due a possible extension, though the Knicks did retain Nerlens Noel for three years and $32 million. The deal includes a team option, so Noel would, in theory, be easy to trade next summer if the Knicks did choose to keep Robinson. Getting Randle’s deal accounted for was smart for the Knicks, who generally have had a wise off-season on paper. This all leads to Randle having at least $125 million in guaranteed money over the next five seasons if he wants it, taking him closer to $140 million depending on whether or not he fulfills those incentives. And that’s why it works for Randle. Sure, maybe he gets more money if he waits, but the amount at that point wouldn’t have been too dramatically different. Randle gets taken care of in a way that will provide beyond generational wealth, guaranteed at his leisure since he has a player option for the final go-round, and if all continues to go well, he’ll make plenty of money away from the Madison Square Garden floor because of the partnerships that arrive with being a star with the Knicks. They’re locked into each other, and for right now, it’s the correct thing to do — for the rabid New York fans and the direction of the team..
Related Posts
Liverpool are paying a close attention to the situation surrounding Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala, according to .
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder, whose scintillating performances at both club and international level have been attracting plenty of attention, is about to enter the final 18 months of contract with the Bundesliga giants, and though Bayern remain confident of having Musiala in their ranks for many years to come, no agreement over a proposed new deal has been reached as of yet. Musiala is said to be favouring a new Bayern contract, but he hasn t ruled out the possibility of leaving the Allianz Arena.
Therefore, links with other top clubs obviously come as no surprise, with the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain also credite…
Wales boss Rob Page insists Aaron Ramsey’s surprise selection for Euro 2024 play-off duty is not a risk.
Skipper Ramsey has not started a match for six months after suffering a knee injury.
The 84-times capped midfielder returned for Cardiff in February but made only two substitute appearances – playing a combined total of 72 minutes – before picking up a calf complaint.
Cardiff manager Erol Blut initially ruled Ramsey out of the play-offs, but the 33-year-old could now feature for his country.
“It’s not been ideal for Aaron, he’s had a few setbacks,” Page said after naming Ramsey in a 28-man squad for the play-off semi-final with Finland in Cardiff on March 21 and a potential home final against Estonia or Poland five days later.
“…
Leeds United have turned to former Watford head coach Javi Gracia in their bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League, appointing the Spaniard on a flexible contract .
Leeds have faced several setbacks in their bid to replace Jesse Marsch since sacking the American earlier this month, seeing an approach for Rayo Vallecano s Andoni Iraola blocked.
Feyenoord s Arne Slot also ruled himself out of contention, leaving interim coach Michael Skubala to oversee their last three games – a defeat at Everton following a return of one point from a double-header against Manchester United.
Defeat at Goodison Park last time out left Leeds two points adrift of safety in 19th place, and Gracia will need to make an instant impact against bottom club Southampton on Saturday.…
Everton s miserable start to the new season continued as they were knocked out of the EFL Cup by Southampton, who experienced spot-kick joy after their penalty pain against Manchester United.
Sean Dyche s Toffees have lost their past two Premier League matches despite leading 2-0 in each, and they let slip another lead on Tuesday.
Abdoulaye Doucoure s opener was cancelled out by Saints Taylor Harwood-Bellis, with a 1-1 draw taking the third-round tie to penalties at Goodison Park.
Southampton, like Everton, are pointless in the league after Cameron Archer s spot-kick miss in their latest defeat at home to United on Saturday proved costly.
But this time Saints succeeded from 12 yards, advancing after a 6-5 shoot-out win, with Ashley Young the only man to f…
Martin Zubimendi rejected an offer to join Liverpool in order to stay at Real Sociedad this summer, even though the Merseysiders reportedly didn t shy away from his €60 million release clause. Now, however, the Spain international regrets his decision, according to Spanish outlet . It s also been said that Zubimendi has made contact with Liverpool, asking them to renew their efforts to take him to Anfield.
On the other hand, the report also states that Sociedad have denied this claim, saying quite clearly that nothing has suddenly changed when it comes to the midfielder s future.
Whether Zubimendi is indeed having second thoughts or not, it s not very easy to imagine Liverpool going back to get him, once their advances have been rejected. While they likely respected h…
Ever the man for the big occasion, Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be eyeing a looming landmark heading into Tuesday s Coppa Italia Derby della Madonnina.
Ibrahimovic enters the latest crunch clash between Inter and his Milan just two goals shy of 500 in club football.
The former Sweden striker drew a blank against Atalanta on Saturday, ending a run of scoring in nine consecutive Serie A starts, but will be determined to bounce back in this mammoth fixture.
We have to redeem ourselves after this defeat, Ibrahimovic said after the 3-0 loss to Atalanta. We have the chance to do it in a few days against Inter. That will be a good match.
A MILAN MAN
Enjoying a fine second spell with Milan now at the age of 39, Ibrahimovic s goals have fired Stefano Pioli s …
After nine and a half years, three first-team appearances and loan spells at seven different clubs, Lucas Piazon s time at Chelsea has finally come to an end.
Piazon, 26, on Thursday put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-year contract with Primeira Liga side Braga, whose coach Carlos Carvalhal he played under at Rio Ave last season.
His name has been linked to Chelsea for so long, since signing as a promising 17-year-old in 2011, but few fans could tell you what he has done during his career.
With the help of Opta data, we look back at Piazon s loan spells to analyse an unusual career that finally appears set for some normality.
MALAGA
Piazon s first loan switch saw him head to Malaga in January 2013 and he began well, setting up two goals acros…
Chelsea battled back from three goals down to earn a 4-4 draw in Tuesday s thrilling Champions League clash with Ajax, who were made to pay for two red cards at Stamford Bridge as the hosts were denied a dramatic winner by VAR.
Frank Lampard s side conceded three first-half goals in the competition for the first time as Tammy Abraham and Kepa Arrizabalaga both put into their own net, either side of Jorginho and Quincy Promes netting.
Ajax opened up a 4-1 lead through Donny van de Beek early in the second half and were still 4-2 in front Cesar Azpilicueta pulling one back when Daley Blind and Joel Veltman were dismissed in the space of a minute.
Jorginho scored his second penalty of the match to reduce the arrears and substitute Reece James struck 16 minutes bef…
Liverpool overcame a thorough examination from Salzburg to prevail 2-0 in Austria and book their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Jurgen Klopp s men needed to avoid defeat to be sure of continuing their European title defence – something that looked far from assured in a high-octane first half, where there were openings at both ends.
Naby Keita made the 57th-minute breakthrough against his old club before Mohamed Salah added a wonderful second 100 seconds later, although goalkeeper Cican Stankovic will rue his part in both goals
Highly-rated Salzburg striker Erling Haaland was unable to add to his eight Champions League goals this season, but few Europa League opponents will relish facing him and his relentless team-mates when they drop d…
Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte insists he would be crazy to consider dropping Son Heung-min amid suggestions of fatigue and a drop in form.
Spurs sit eighth in the Premier League ahead of a clash at Brighton and Hove Albion, following a 3-2 defeat at fellow top-four contenders Manchester United that leaves them six points behind fourth-placed Arsenal.
Conte s north London rivals have also played a game less, while Spurs have lost five of their last eight Premier League games (W3) – as many as they had in their previous 20 in the competition (W12 D3).
Son has been on target in his side s last two wins, a 5-0 thrashing of Everton coupled with a 4-0 hammering of Leeds United, yet there remain questions over the South Korea international s form.
Sinc…