New York Knicks: 3 bold predictions for 2019-20 NBA season

1. Julius Randle makes the 2020 NBA All-Star Team

Although RJ Barrett is expected to be the next big thing in New York, for the time being, it is the Julius Randle show. After a breakout season with the New Orleans Pelicans last year, he signed a three-year, $63 million contract with the New York Knicks.

With a big contract comes big responsibilities. In the NBA today, a player’s contract is a large part of how they are perceived around the league. Once you get that big payday, expectations rise with the increase in money.

Playing alongside Anthony Davis, Randle averaged 21.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. He also shot an efficient 52.4 percent from the floor and 34.4 percent from deep.

The former No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Randle has gotten steadily better in every season he has been in the NBA. Now that he is the highest-paid player on the New York Knicks, with the spotlight that comes with playing in this city, he will be expected to continue to improve steadily.

Now in the arguably weaker Eastern Conference, he will lead the Knicks and shoulder a large portion of the offensive load. If he can keep the Knicks in the playoff conversation up until the 2020 NBA All-Star break, there is a good chance he could make his very first NBA All-Star Team.

Especially with a big name like Kevin Durant in the Eastern Conference out for the upcoming season, there will be an extra forward slot that needs to be filled on the All-Star roster. Expect Julius Randle to step up to the challenge this season and make himself a household name.