Julius Randle undergoes arthroscopic ankle surgery

Julius Randle undergoes arthroscopic ankle surgery

New York Knicks forward Julius Randle underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle, the team announced Saturday morning.

Julius Randle underwent successful arthroscopic surgery yesterday on his left ankle. He will resume basketball activities later this summer.

— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) June 3, 2023

Randle, 28, missed the final five games of the regular season with an ankle sprain and reinjured it in the opening round against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He missed Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals versus the Miami Heat due to the injury, but returned and remained inefficient.

He averaged 18.8 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists, but shot 41.1 percent from the floor and 28.1 percent from 3-point range on 6.4 3-point attempts per game. In the playoffs entirely, Randle tallied just 16.6 points on 37.4/25.8/70.9 shooting splits, in addition to 8.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists.

In lieu of the surgery, barring any unforeseen setbacks, he is still expected to return by the time the 2023-24 regular season begins in October, which is fortunate news.

The timing of Randle’s injury was rather unfortunate, however, since he was having arguably the best year of his career. He averaged a career-most 25.1 points, plus 10.0 boards and 4.1 assists in 77 games. Randle shot 45.9 percent, 34.3 percent from 3-point range and 75.7 percent from the charity stripe — good enough for a 58.1 true-shooting percentage.

The 6-foot-8 forward might be subject trade rumors this offseason, though the surgery dampens his trade value if the Knicks brass has any interest in moving him. Nevertheless, he will be on the books for $28.2 million and $30.3 million over the next two seasons, respectively, before a $32.4 million player option in 2025-26, per Spotrac.

If the recovery and rehab process goes smoothly, Randle, Julius Brunson and the Knicks should be a clear playoff contender in 2023-24, as it currently stands. Weirder things have happened, but New York was a top-4 seed this last year and could be even better next season, even though it’s way too early to make any final conclusions.

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