Kenny Smith agreed with Jalen Brunson, but he believes the Knicks still need one more player to substantially close the gap on the Celtics — and that player is a transformed Julius Randle.
“I think Julius Randle is good enough to do that,” Smith told The Post at the NBL Next Stars, held at the Peak Event Space at the EDGE at Hudson Yards. “I think the best thing for Julius to do is get hurt and realize that he’s not taking on some of the responsibility that he thought he should be taking on. And he should take on some of the responsibility that he wasn’t able to take on. That will change the way he plays next year, and I think it will make him a better player.”
Smith, who also serves as director of player development for Australia’s National Basketball League, said Randle was watching the Knicks’ success without him and should have humbled himself and taken a smaller role.
Randle, who hasn’t played since January because of a dislocated shoulder, was averaging 24 points and nine rebounds before the injury.
The three-time All-Star recently said he is recovering “faster than expected” after surgery and that he will be ready in time for the start of next season.
The Knicks were eliminated in the conference semifinals due to a slew of injuries, but barring a dramatic trade, the most compelling reason they could join the championship contenders is the improving health of Randle and OG Anunoby.
However, one issue that’s relevant to any discussion of the Knicks’ championship potential is that the Celtics are still in the East.
“Their fifth-best player is the best player on a lot of teams.” [Kristaps] “Porzingis. At times, he’s the fifth guy on the team. That puts them on another level,” Smith said. “To beat the Celtics, you really need personnel. Right now, [the Knicks] It’s close. It’s definitely a 4. [seed]3 or 2.
“A year ago they were close to the play-in, but they were close to second place. Not anymore. They’ve established themselves. But they’re going to have to have Julius Randle healthy, or someone like him, to get them to a championship level.”
The Knicks are in this conversation largely because of the rise of Brunson, but Smith criticized him early last season, declaring that the Knicks “always have the second-best player” on the court.
