Knicks’ Julius Randle close to being ready for start of 2024-25 season

The new NBA season is just over a month away, which means it’s almost time for the New York Knicks to begin their quest for the title, which they have high hopes for this season. The Knicks are getting a number of injured players back to start the year, and an encouraging update on All-Star Julius Randle’s rehab from a shoulder injury indicates he could be ready for the start of the season.

Knicks’ Julius Randle could be ready for season start

“Randle said his recovery is going well and he should be ready to play by the start of the season,” ESPN’s Chris Herring wrote. “Randle’s return will be a welcome addition to a Knicks team that went 11-1 and outscored opponents by 202 points in the 12 games he, Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby played in.”

The three-time All-Star missed the final 36 games of the regular season and the entire postseason after dislocating his shoulder in the fourth quarter of a Jan. 27 game against the Miami Heat. Randle attempted to recover from the injury without surgery, but suffered a setback late in the season, prompting the Knicks to decide season-ending surgery was the best option moving forward.

Before his injury, he was averaging 24 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5 assists per game. He was having one of the most dominant games of his career after a historically poor start to the season.

The 2024-25 season will be a big season for Randle

Randle is in for a potentially career-defining season this year because in addition to coming back from a major injury, he has a contract issue to resolve with the Knicks before next summer. He became eligible for a four-year, $181.5 million extension last month but has yet to sign, which allows him to enter free agency next offseason if he declines his player option.

The Knicks would like to keep Randle long-term, as he is responsible for the franchise’s turnaround and plays a vital role in their success. He was sorely missed last postseason, and it could be argued that New York would have at least reached the Eastern Conference Finals had Randle been healthy.

How will Randle fit into the revamped roster?

However, with Mikal Bridges in the mix, it will be interesting to see how Randle’s role on the court will be affected. While he will undoubtedly still be the team’s second option, his shooting regimen could decrease with the extra mouths to feed, which could have a major impact on his effectiveness since Randle is generally known for being a volume scorer.

His performance this season could determine the path he takes with his career, whether it’s with the Knicks or another club. Nevertheless, he’s part of the team this season and his return will be very welcome by the rest of his teammates looking to compete for an NBA title.