The future of Julius Randle with the New York Knicks is uncertain as he could become a free agent in 2025 if he declines his player option and is eligible for an extension this offseason. If the Knicks trade for a big star this offseason, Randle could be included as an outgoing player.

"He's got a player option in 2025," said Shams Charania. "He's eligible for a four-year, $181.5 million contract extension this summer. Teams are monitoring this situation for sure, because how they handle that extension situation, if that is a conversation, what transpires. I think that will be interesting. If you think about movable assets, salaries, obviously Julius Randle has got a number if you make a big, big trade."

The Knicks lost Randle in January to a season-ending shoulder injury, but were still one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals. 

The Los Angeles Lakers are considering hiring J.J. Redick as head coach, but LeBron James is reportedly not driving that candidacy. 

"I'm told LeBron James is not involved in the Lakers' head coaching search," said Shams Charania. "I reported on it last week: J.J. Redick, James Borrego and Sam Cassell are the lead initial targets.

"LeBron James James has made it clear that this is the organization's decision. He's had no conversions with the Lakers about JJ Redick, his podcast partner. He has had no conversations with J.J. about this position as well.

"I did speak to Rich Paul this morning. He said 'LeBron James and J.J. Redick do a podcast together. That does not mean that he wants J.J. Redick as his head coach.'

"But he is leaving it up to the organization. We'll see what LeBron James decides for his future. I'm told he's expected to play up to two more NBA season.

"The bottom line with LeBron James is this: if he was making the decisions for the Lakers, Ty Lue would have been the head coach in 2019. Kyrie Irving would be his point guard if he was running the team."

Charania went on to express the thinking that this coaching hire has as much to do with Anthony Davis as it does with James. 

James could become a free agent this offseason, but he is widely expected to remain with the Lakers. 

The New York Knicks are entering the 2024 offseason as the opportune time to trade for a big star, sources tell Fred Katz of The Athletic.

The Knicks have been patient in their efforts in trading for a star, such as the 2022 offseason when they couldn't agree on a deal with the Utah Jazz for Donovan Mitchell.

New York's roster will be more expensive a year from now as Julius Randle can become a free agent in 2025 and will probably receive a raise, as will Jalen Brunson. Brunson can sign an extension now, or wait until 2025 free agency to sign for a max.

The Knicks own all of their future first round picks, as well as the Dallas Mavericks' first round pick this June, and several protected picks from other teams.

Tom Thibodeau has been a lot place in his NBA coaching career. He knows when he wants to stay somewhere. Now, Thibodeau hopes to stay with the New York Knicks for a while longer.

“That’s something that my agent will take care of,” Thibodeau said about extending his contract. “The Knicks have been great to me. So, this is where I want to be.”

Thibodeau has one year remaining on the five-year deal he signed with New York ahead of the 2020-21 season. Sources expect that the Knicks will do what they can to extend Thibodeau this summer, likely on a deal in the range of $10 million per season.

Despite criticism that he plays his players too many minutes, several Knicks defended Thibodeau. Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and others all expressed hope that New York would take care of their coach with a contract extension.

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray said he's committed to playing for Canada at this summer's Olympics in France. Murray has missed previous competitions due to injuries, but seems to feel he's healthy enough to suit up this summer.

Murray has yet to play for the senior Canadian national team. He was set to join the Nuggets for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, but did not play after the Nuggets run to the 2023 NBA title.

The Chicago Bulls are hiring assistant coach Dan Craig. The Bulls are adding Craig and Wes Unseld Jr. as the top assistants on Billy Donovan's staff.

Craig spent the last four seasons with the LA Clippers, working as part of Ty Lue's staff. Prior to that, Craig was an assistant coach for Erik Spoelstra with the Miami Heat.

Gordon Hayward's season didn't end the way he wanted. Hayward struggled to find his place with the Oklahoma City Thunder after a trade deadline deal from the Charlotte Hornets. Hayward owned those struggles in his final meeting with the media for this season, following the Thunder's second-round loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

"Disappointing with how it all kind of worked out. Certainly frustrating," Hayward said about his time with the Thunder.

The veteran wing said he thought his lack of production with Oklahoma City was mostly about his place within the rotation and the team's schemes.

"That’s credit to kinda the role I was placed in and lack of touches," Hayward said when asked about his lack of field goal attempts with Oklahoma City.

Hayward is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Thunder can create over $30 million in cap space this offseason, while having relatively few roster spots to fill for next season.

The Detroit Pistons have identified several candidates as contenders for their president of basketball operations role. Trajan Langdon, Scott Perry, Dennis Lindsey and John Hammond have all impressed in recent interviews with Pistons owner Tom Gores.

Detroit is also interested in Tim Connelly, who is currently the president of basketball operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Connelly reportedly has an out after this season in his deal with the Wolves.

Langdon is the New Orleans Pelicans general manager. Perry is currently working for ESPN as an analyst, and most recently worked in the New York Knicks front office. Lindsey is an advisor to the Dallas Mavericks, while Hammond holds a similar role with the Orlando Magic.

The Pistons are looking for a new front office leader. Interested candidates have been told that they will be given the ability to reshape Detroit's basketball operations department as they see fit.

The Chicago Bulls are hiring Wes Unseld Jr. as an assistant coach. Unseld will be the top assistant on Billy Donovan's staff in Chicago.

Unseld was the Washington Wizards head coach for the past two-and-a-half years, before he was let go midway through this past season. Prior to that, Unseld was one of Michael Malone's top assistants for six seasons with the Denver Nuggets. Unseld has also worked as an assistant coach for the Wizards, Golden State Warriors and the Orlando Magic.

The Phoenix Suns are expected to hire Matt Tellem for a role in their front office.

Tellem currently serves as vice president of strategy for the Brooklyn Nets.

Tellem is the son of Arn Tellem, who is former agent and current executive with the Detroit Pistons.