Tom Thibodeau Hints at New Role for Knicks’ Julius Randle

Getty Julius Randle and Tom Thibodeau during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2023.

The New York Knicks‘ and Julius Randle‘s collective journey has been something of a roller coaster, dating back to his arrival for the 2019-2020 season. There’s another twist on the horizon with the 2024-2025 season approaching.

Or at least that’s what head coach Tom Thibodeau alluded to in a Q&A column by NBA.com’s Steve Aschburner.

When asked about replacing former starting center Isaiah Hartenstein — who signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder in free agency — the Knicks’ head coach mentioned Randle as an option to Aschburner.

“We’ll probably have to do it by committee,” Thibodeau told Aschburner. “We’ll look at some different things because we have versatility — we could see Julius more at the 5. I don’t want to do that for long stretches — it would take its toll. But to have him do it for 10 or 15 minutes, I think he can do it well. He also would create a lot of [offensive] advantages.”

According to Cleaning the Glass, Randle played only 0.008% of his 3,288 possessions at center last season. But for a team that’s lost Hartenstein — and doubled down on wing depth — that will have to change next year.

Based on his comments, Thibodeau seems amenable to change. And that alone could be the key to an NBA Finals run for New York.

Thibs on Julius Randle: ‘People Forget’

Randle hasn’t seen the NBA court since January of last season, when he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.

Thibodeau cautioned fans on low expectations for the three-time All-Star, who was playing some of his best basketball when he went down.

“I think Julius has always adapted to whatever challenge he’s faced each year,” Thibodeau said. “People forget the level that he’s played at. Four years ago, he had a monster season and we didn’t have the shooting we have now, so the floor is going to be more open. We got a glimpse of that in January, which was his last month of basketball.”

Through 14 games in January, Randle averaged 24.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. The Knicks went 12-2 in that span.

That’s the new measuring stick for success in New York, with Randle returning and the addition of Mikal Bridges. And if it doesn’t work out, the Knicks can and should utilize Randle’s contract for a much-needed center upgrade.

Brian Windhorst Calls Julius Randle ‘Extraordinarily Tradable’

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst added some gasoline to the already-burning fire on an episode of “The Hoop Collective” podcast.

In discussing his contract situation with Bobby Marks and Tim Bontemps, Windhorst argued that Randle is worth more than his current contract.

“A very attractive $29 million this year,” Windhorst said on the August 30 episode. “His player option for next year is $31 million. His value, if he’s 100%, is more than that. There is no reason why — if he’s playing at the top of his game — why he shouldn’t consider opting out of that.”

And furthermore, Windhorst called Randle “extraordinarily tradable,” given his current pay scale.

“Because of that $29 million salary, he’s extraordinarily tradable,” Windhorst continued. “And, the Knicks still do have a couple of extra first-round — not extra, there’s no extra anymore — but the Knicks do still have a couple of first-round picks they can move.”

Thibodeau’s willingness to deploy Randle (and potentially OG Anunoby as well) at the center spot is one way to combat the loss of Hartenstein.

But if things don’t work the way he and the front office envision, then utilizing his salary to trade for a traditional starting center is another option waiting in the wings.