Julius Randle is underappreciated in New York

Julius Randle was the first piece in the New York Knicks rebuild under Tom Thibodeau. He has been with the franchise since 2019, earning all three of his All-Star selections while wearing the orange and blue. He won the Most Improved Player award during his second season with the Knicks and has made two All-NBA teams.

However, some sections of the Knicks fanbase still aren't sold on Randle's production. His value to the Knicks is often questioned during the offseason. According to SNY's Ian Begley, the front office is also split on his importance to the team.

"Some in the organization believe that Randle can fit well with this group and think that Randle’s play in January – after the OG Anunoby trade – supports that point," Begley reported. "...Others are concerned about Randle going into this pivotal season with free agency looming and the challenges that may present. In addition, some decision-makers aren’t as bullish about the general fit of the current group."

Randle, 29, will become eligible for a four-year contract extension with a maximum value of $181.5 million on Aug. 3. In his five years with the team, he is averaging 22.6 points, 9.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists while shooting 50.4 percent from two-point range and 33.8 percent from the beyond the arc. If he can prove himself to be a good fit on the Knicks' new-look roster, Randle should earn himself an extension offer.

During a May 31 interview with Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, Randle shared his desire to remain with the Knicks.

“I’ve always said from the very beginning I would love to be here in New York and I would love to continue to add on to what the guys did in the playoffs," Randle said. "I feel like that was my personal — biggest personal goal, or I’d say team goal in a sense, was when I got here is to be able to build and compete and to be at the point where we’re at now, where it’s an actual possibility (to win a championship)."

Despite being a core part of the Knicks' path to contention and showcasing high-level skill development, Randle must prove he still fits with the roster. If he can impact winning at a high level while also accentuating his teammate's skill sets, there will likely be another contract waiting for him.

However, if he struggles, he could find himself on the block ahead of next year's Feb. 6 trade deadline.