Knicks star Julius Randle during a game in the 2023-24 season. Image courtesy of The Athletic
New York Knicks star Julius Randle has officially missed out on a potential $1.28 million bonus.
According to Bobby Marks of ESPN, Randle’s contract contained an incentive where the forward would receive $1.28 million in salary bonuses, provided that he played at least 65 games this season and the Knicks reached the first round of the playoffs.
However, due to an ongoing shoulder injury, Randle has missed the amount of NBA games required to be eligible for the bonus. He has made 46 starts in the 2023-24 season, and only 18 games remain for the Knicks. The hope for New York is that they get Randle back and playing within those 18 games.
Injury Concerns
Randle has missed 21 straight games after suffering the shoulder injury on January 27. Prior to that point, he was a key cog in the Knicks’ force which went 14-2 in January, and was on top of the league in that span. However, according to SNY’s Ian Begley, Randle still has not been cleared for contact, raising concerns.
This does not particularly bode well for the Knicks, as O.G. Anunoby is nearing his return after being cleared for contact weeks ago. That means that Randle may need a few more weeks before returning. Anunoby had missed over a month of play but returned recently.
Randle is averaging 24 points per game, 9.2 rebounds, and 5 assists through 46 games played this season. With Randle in the lineup, the Knicks are 29-17. But in games without him, they are 8-10. This fails to bode well for the team whose playoff aspirations may depend on his return to the lineup.
Contract Details
Randle signed a four-year extension in 2021, worth $117 million. The extension features several bonus incentives including making the All-Star team, making the All-Defensive team, playing 65 games in a season, and aiding the Knicks in reaching the playoffs.
Randle received the All-Star and 65 game bonuses last season, and did receive a $1.38 million bonus in February for making the All-Star reserves.
According to Marks, the Knicks will receive a tax variance credit worth $1.28 million, which will be applied to team salary that counts toward the tax. Since the bonus is “now deemed unlikely” for next season, Randle’s $30.3 million cap hit will decrease to $28.9 million next season, offering the team a bit more cap space.
But the reality is that Randle’s comeback for this season is in jeopardy. With his bonus incentive already being foregone, more questions than answers are raised.
