New York Knicks power forward Julius Randle just received a massive contract extension for four years one hundred and seventeen million dollars, when looking at the totality of Julius Randle entire deal Julius Randle value could become five years one hundred forty million. What does this mean for a franchise such as the New York Knicks?
Last season was by far the best season of Julius Randle’s career averaging twenty four points and racking up ten rebounds as well, and even making an all-star team in the process but during the postseason those numbers dropped significantly. Julius Randle only averaged eighteen points and at times his game showed a major drift in production,Julius Randle an all around player don’t get me wrong but his right hand needs substantial improvement and times during the Atlanta Hawks vs the New York Knicks playoff series this hole in Julius Randle game was shown proving that Julius Randle isn’t a number one option on a championship caliber team.
I love this move with Julius Randle resigning. This gives the New York Knicks front office a direction and a vision board. Believe it or not, eventually New York is going to become a place where big time free agents come to play basketball, seeing that head coach Tom Thibodeau looks as if he’s determined to have this team as a conscious playoff contender in The Eastern Conference.
Another move that won’t go unnoticed was trading for four time all-star Kemba Walker. Kemba Walker gives the New York Knicks much needed shooting on the perimeter,then to mention Kemba Walker is an excellent finisher inside the painted area.
RJ Barrett is the key moving forward for this New York Knicks team being a surreal 6’7 strong and versatile defender, but RJ Barrett like Julius Randle need to develop his right hand a little bit more, as a matter of fact someone should challenge RJ Barrett to only use his right hand this off season and doing this will develop RJ Barrett quicker than usual. Another thing I’ll like for RJ Barrett to improve has to become his jumpshot, what makes me mention this was during the playoff series vs the Atlanta Hawks RJ Barrett struggled mightily when given the opportunity to make open shots and in order to make that jump in his career RJ Barrett needs to improve his jump shot.
I believe retaining Derrick Rose was huge for the New York Knicks, Derrick Rose gives the New York Knicks bench scoring along with someone who can get their own shot. This is backed by Derrick Rose averaging fifteen points on forty one percent from the three point line. Derrick Rose paired with Kemba Walker is going to become a handful. Yes, defensively the two are going to struggle being that Kemba Walker is only six feet one inch but seeing that the New York Knicks have a physical defensive scheme this pairing should be fine. Offensively these two are a nightmare because Derrick Rose and Kemba Walker are great finishers inside the painted area which will open up three point opportunities for other New York Knicks teammates.
Shooting is the top priority for the New York Knicks after their abysmal performance outside the painted area, during their playoff matchup against the Atlanta Hawks the New York Knicks has team performances where as a team the New York Knicks shot seventy eight percent from the free throw line. Just imagine if that number was inside the eighties that may have determined the New York Knicks winning this series matchup.
Coach Tom Thibodeau is going to have his hands full as the New York Knicks are a team we’re actually watching now, with the New York Knicks manufacturing a playoff appearance this was the first appearance since 2012. As a fan of the sport of basketball this only means expectations are going to be raised higher than the previous season and this time a playoff series victory is wanted as we’ll know that New York Knicks media is a totally different breed.
With Julius Randle contract extension more is going to become expected from him for the simple fact Julius Randle is the Knicks best player, which also means when the New York Knicks are winning Julius Randle will receive all the praise on the other hand when the New York Knicks are losing and playing horribly then we as the media are going to chew Julius Randle out. I believe Julius Randle will rise to the challenge and play out of his mind as this season the New York Knicks have given Julius Randle another proven all star in Kemba Walker so the future is very bright for the New York Knicks and I can’t wait for the NBA season to start.
