New York Knicks: 3 players that could earn a big payday in the playoffs
By Dalton Sell
Julius Randle could earn a payday in the playoffs with the New York Knicks
One of the biggest surprises of the 2020-21 NBA season has been Julius Randle‘s abrupt leap into stardom with the Knicks. The former No. 7 overall pick has taken the reigns for a franchise previously plagued with a bleak future and turned them into a playoff contender for the first time in a long time.
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Earning the first All-Star selection of his career, Randle has been fantastic this season by averaging 24.1 points on .456/.411/.811 shooting splits, 10.2 rebounds, and six assists per game. Virtually all of those are career bests for the 26-year-old, and it seems certain that he will win this season’s Most Improved Player award for his vast improvements. It would also be shocking if Randle did not make his way onto one of the three All-NBA teams this season.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst (subscription required), the Knicks will discuss a potential contract extension with the All-Star this offseason. Randle is likely to earn himself a hefty extension after the incredible regular season he has had, no matter how things shake out in the playoffs. However, a strong showing in New York’s return to the postseason certainly would not hurt his case in any potential negotiations, and the big man could undoubtedly earn himself a sizable raise.
Appearing on a previous episode of “Victory the Podcast,” Randle said that he wants to finish his career out in New York and ultimately retire a Knick. After the season he has put together, that feeling should be mutual as this could be just the beginning of something special in the Big Apple.
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