{"id":23572,"date":"2019-07-12T11:55:16","date_gmt":"2019-07-12T15:55:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnba.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=23572"},"modified":"2019-07-12T11:55:16","modified_gmt":"2019-07-12T15:55:16","slug":"new-york-knicks-free-agency-recap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2019\/07\/12\/new-york-knicks-free-agency-recap\/","title":{"rendered":"New York Knicks Free Agency Recap"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New York Knicks<\/a> Free Agency haul this summer was supposed to be the one that lifted the franchise out of the doldrums and into the nationwide spotlight.<\/p>\n

Seemingly waiting in the wings were Kevin Durant<\/a><\/strong> and Kyrie Irving<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Both players \u2014 by many analysts and pundits \u2014 were predestined to become Knicks. Alas, it was never meant to be as Knicks were reportedly scared off by Durant\u2019s Achilles injury<\/a>.<\/p>\n

So, in essence, Plan A was scrapped and Knicks\u2019 management quickly shifted to Plan B. This to the chagrin of many Knicks\u2019 fans.<\/p>\n

Free Agency Recap for the New York Knicks<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Free Agency Changes<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While people across social media platforms and the blogosphere love to criticize the Knicks, New York did not overcompensate when the Durant\/Irving combo package fell through. There has to be some measure of commendation for how the Knicks handled free agency. They did so with patience and due diligence.<\/p>\n

The Knicks kept themselves busy by signing five free agents in Julius Randle<\/a><\/strong>, Wayne Ellington<\/a><\/strong>, Bobby Portis<\/a><\/strong>, Elfrid Payton<\/a>,\u00a0<\/strong>and Taj Gibson<\/a><\/strong>. A sixth and a seventh addition in the form of Marcus Morris<\/a><\/strong> and Reggie Bullock<\/a><\/strong> should also soon be official<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The biggest pickup is, of course, Randle. He signed a three-year deal worth $63 million.<\/p>\n

Breaking Down the Signings<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Randle enjoyed a breakout campaign with the New Orleans Pelicans<\/a> in which he averaged 21.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Those numbers were only second to Anthony Davis<\/a><\/strong>\u2019 numbers in 56 games with New Orleans.<\/p>\n

Randle was a rock for the Pelicans last season. Randle played in 73 contests and also averaged a solid 3.1 assists per game while shooting a more than respectable 52.4 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from three-point range.<\/p>\n

He is just coming into his own and he will only get better. After all, Randle is just 24 years old.<\/p>\n

\n

Marcus Morris is coming to the #Knicks<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/h6kHpGS262<\/a><\/p>\n

— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) July 12, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n