Knicks Mailbag: Julius Randle update; another center coming?

SNY’s Ian Begley will be responding to Knicks questions from readers. Here’s the latest…

Any news on Jalen Brunson‘s recovery? – @topshotta4L

It seems to me like he’ll be ready for training camp. Brunson had surgery in mid-May to repair his broken left hand. During the celebration of his captaincy last week, Brunson didn’t have any visible restrictions on his left hand.

At one point during the proceedings, MSG’s Alan Hahn asked Brunson to give the crowd a thumbs up to show that his hand was in good shape.

Brunson obliged and said “Everything’s good. Everything’s good.”

Brunson added that his hand injury has been ‘the only thing that’s been on my mind since the summer started.’

His rehab, by all accounts, has gone well. So I’d guess he’ll be a full participant in training camp.

(By the way, Patrick Ewing and the Knicks put together a great video to honor Brunson’s captaincy. If you haven’t seen it, here is a link).

Also on the injury front, we reported late last month that Julius Randle’s rehab from right shoulder surgery was going very well. Randle underwent surgery in early April. The Knicks at the time said Randle would be re-evaluated in September. Based on other timelines for shoulder surgery, it would be surprising if Randle were ready for the start of training camp. But if everything progresses well, he should be back on the court for the Knicks’ Oct. 22 season opener or soon thereafter.

Mitchell Robinson is also rehabbing a surgically-repaired injury this offseason. Robinson had surgery in mid-May to repair a stress injury to his left ankle. As of earlier this week, Robinson had not yet been cleared for high-intensity weight-bearing activities during his rehab, per people familiar with the matter. So Robinson has to clear several hurdles before he gets clearance to fully participate in training camp.

Would you only do this because you sort of know you have a deal largely in place to execute later in the season? – @Coach_DHarris

Coach is referencing Precious Achiuwa’s decision to waive the no-trade clause in his 2024-25 contract. I don’t think he did that because the Knicks have a trade in place for later in the season. I assume he waived it as part of the negotiations with the Knicks that ended in a one-year, $6 million contract. According to Spotrac, Achiuwa cannot be traded until Dec. 15. So it would be strange if the Knicks had a trade involving Achiuwa in place when they signed him. The Knicks did explore several options for other backup centers earlier in the offseason, via trade and free agency. Obviously, nothing came to fruition. They currently have Robinson, Achiuwa and Jericho Sims as possible centers. Based on this, I assume the Knicks would continue to at least explore their options to acquire another backup big man.

QUICK HITTERS

I’m curious why Randle wasn’t there – @bobsteal

I think Randle was in Japan at the time. If he wasn’t in Japan on the date of Brunson’s press conference, he had just returned from the trip. Randle and the other Knicks offered congratulations to Brunson via video.

Given the way Mathias Lessort has played in Olympics for France & NYK owning his draft rights, any reason he isn’t looked at for a roster spot given need at center? – @original_ARI

It’s a great question. Lessort played well during the Olympics. We noted last week that the Knicks inquired about Lessort’s interest in signing with the team earlier in the offseason. The team and player could not find common ground. Lessort, presumably, would need to be bought out of his current contract with Panathinaikos. He is under contract with the club for 2024-25.

Thanks Ian! Do you know when we could expect the final number to be released, if at all – @TheKnicksRecap

Do we know the numbers? – @midfifecrisis

I don’t know specific numbers on Tom Thibodeau’s extension but, as reported last week, it is north of $30 million over the three years. That $10 million-plus per year salary puts Thibodeau ahead of Sacramento’s Mike Brown. Brown’s extension is for $8.5 million per season, according to ESPN. Thibodeau’s number is in line with the general market for coaches. In other words, the Knicks seemingly didn’t squeeze Thibodeau on the extension.