New York and Julius Randle have agreed to a three-year, $63 million deal, according to ESPN.
The 24-year-old forward averaged a career-high 21.4 points, along with 8.7 rebounds, in 73 games with the Pelicans in 2018-19. He shot 52.4% from the field and 34.4% from 3-point range.
“It just shows opportunity and preparation,” Randle said about his season, via NOLA.com. “Just years of preparation and hard work and finally coming and getting my opportunity, I was able to make a jump. So, I expect that next year, as well, out of myself. My job is just to prepare.”
Randle spent the first four seasons of his career with the Lakers before signing with the Pelicans in July 2018.
“You’ve just got to look at every situation,” Randle said about free agency in April. “I don’t know what the situation will look like. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here. Would love to be back. But, like I said, you have to look at every situation, look at options, and do what’s best for you and your family and your career at the moment.”
The Knicks have cap space to sign multiple top-level players and had been pursuing Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant but missed out on both of them early in free agency, as the pair has agreed to sign with the Nets.
They’ve also been linked to Kawhi Leonard, however, it appears he’s likely to land with the Raptors, Lakers or Clippers.
The Knicks finished 2018-19 with a 17-65 record and missed the playoffs for a sixth straight season. They selected former Duke star RJ Barrett with the No. 3 pick in the 2019 draft earlier this month.
