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..
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England v Slovakia
In their last outing, England were shown by Spain just how far away from being the best they are. Despite that, the World Cup qualifying campaign is going as well as it possibly could for Fabio Capello and his over-hyped, over-paid men. This warm-up game sees them take on Slovakia at Wembley.
England will not be playing Ledley King after the embarrassing club v country argument earlier in the week and several other players, including Shaun Wright-Phillips and Peter Crouch, are carrying knocks. On the positive side, Rio Ferdinand, Steve Gerrard and Wayne Rooney are all likely to be back after missing the Spain game. Manchester United keeper Ben Foster may win his second cap.
The Slovakia side was formed in 1993 after the break up of Czechoslovakia and …
Aston Villa captain Martin Laursen announced his retirement on Friday after admitting defeat in his battle to return from a knee injury.
Laursen, 31, has suffered a series of injuries that have restricted his appearances for Villa over the last two years and has been out of action since suffering a knee injury in January.
The Denmark defender was faced with a lengthy rehabilitation period on his right knee before he would return to full fitness and has opted to retire rather than undergo another major operation.
A former AC Milan and Parma centre-back, he played his last match for Villa in the 2-1 victory against West Bromwich Albion on January 10, 2009.
Villa are sad to announce Martin Laursen s retirement from football, a statement on the club s websi…
Chelsea striker Fernando Torres cost the Blues £50million when he moved to Stamford Bridge from Liverpool in the winter transfer window of 2011. Since then he has struggled to hit the back of the net on a regular basis for Chelsea.
Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has failed to meet expectations at Stamford Bridge since his big-money arrival from Liverpool in 2011
Obvious
Torres has recently stated that he needs to score more goals this season. That is stating the obvious really.
It did not take Sherlock Holmes to work that out. Larry Holmes could have worked that out Fernando.
Here is what the Spaniard told Chelsea TV: The people are looking at me thinking I should do much better and it s true,
The reason you pay that money for someone…
Alex Ferguson was overwhelmed after receiving the League Managers Association Manager of the Year award on Monday.
The Scot, who has now landed the award a record-breaking four times, announced his retirement from Manchester United after 26 years and 1500 games at the club, winning his 13th league title this season with victory over Aston Villa in April.
After another successful season at the club Ferguson was given the honour by the LMA members, including all managers from the top four leagues in English football.
Ferguson s previous awards came after league triumphs in 1998-99, 2007-08 and 2010-11, and this fourth honour moves him ahead of David Moyes, his replacement at United, who has won it three times.
It has been overwhelming, Ferguson said. The c…
France boss Didier Deschamps has rubbished the suggestion it will be easier to defend against Luka Modric than Lionel Messi or Eden Hazard as the Croatia star is less mobile .
Modric s form at the World Cup has seen him tipped to win the Golden Ball as the tournament s best player and challenge for the Ballon d Or later this year.
Deschamps sees no reason why France would have an easier time against the Real Madrid star in Sunday s final, simply because they have already coped with Hazard s Belgium and Messi s Argentina in the knockout phase.
I m sorry, but you probably didn t see the same Modric as me if you think he is not mobile, he told a news conference.
He can play in the centre, not especially, but of course he has technical qualities that are ma…
As for the visitors, while new Barca boss Quique Setién may have seen his side snatch a 2-1 win off of Levante at the Nou Camp last week, Blaugrana sit three points adrift of Real Madrid and top spot in the La Liga table. Including being hit with a 2-0 defeat away at Valencia last month, the former European champions have won just three of their last seven La Liga appearances and have continued to show some worrying struggles on the road. Failing to win any of their last three matches on their travels, including dropping points away at relegation scrappers Espanyol, the former Real Betis manager has seen his squad land just a pair of top-flight victories outside of Catalonia since the 19th of October. While the reigning La Liga champions might be showing some continued issues at the ba…
Nothing without him?
Could it actually be that we are going to have a tight Premier League season at the top and at the bottom?
Nervy
Manchester United returned to the top with a really nervy win over Bolton. After taking a two goal lead they switched off and Bolton laid siege on their goal and very nearly took a point. However, the champions picked up three points.
Meanwhile, Chelsea took the lead at top four wannabees Aston Villa through the enigma that is Didier Drogba but then threw it away and lost 2-1.
Two man
Liverpool lost at Sunderland when Darren Bent’s shot was deflected in off a beach ball thrown onto the pitch by a Liverpool fan. That really is some sort of own goal. Are Liverpool a two man team and not able to…
Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins has revealed that the club are in talks with Liverpool over a move for Jonjo Shelvey.
The 21-year-old made 26 appearances for the Merseyside club in the first half of the 2012-13 campaign, but was handed just six outings following a poor performance in his side s narrow 2-1 win over Mansfield in the FA Cup.
However, the former Charlton Athletic midfielder now looks set to be handed a lifeline by Michael Laudrup.
There is an interest there and we are talking to Liverpool, Jenkins told the South Wales Evening Post.
We are still talking on a number of fronts to try to get the right players on the right deals for Swansea City.
The Welshman went on to reveal that the Liberty Stadium outfit are also still working on a deal for Lyon f…
Brazil national team returns to Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto for the first time since the embarrassing 7-1 defeat to Germany in the 2014 World Cup semi-final, and the Selecao now have a good opportunity to banish memory of said loss as they face arch rivals Argentina in Superclasico.
With Brazil leading the chase with 21 points and los Albicelestes currently outside of qualifying positions, the Selecao can inflict their bitter rivals a costly defeat and they .
Brazil not only won their last five home games against Argentina, but have largely impressed under new coach Tite, recording four comfortable triumphs during his reign.
It has to be noted though that los Albicelestes will have Barcelona superstar Leo Messi back to the side, but odds of 29/10 offered …
Wayne Rooney deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Manchester United legends Bobby Robson and Denis Law after his recording-breaking achievements.
The 31-year-old recently became United s all-time top goalscorer as he dethroned Charlton with his 250th goal for the club in the 1-1 draw with Stoke.
As well as being United s record goalscorer Rooney is also England s leading marksman, a feat he achieved in 2015 with a penalty against Switzerland.
Despite his success at United the 31-year-old has regularly been criticised this campaign, but Yorke is adamant there is no doubt Rooney is among the greatest ever.
The record he just broke has been there for over 40 odd years and he has to be one of the all-time greats. He is right up there, Yorke said.