Knicks’ ‘big’ deals get done
There’s a bunch of starry tandems in the NBA this season and beyond: the Lakers’ LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Nets’ Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, the Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the Rockets’ James Harden and Russell Westbrook, the Warriors’ Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
The Knicks? They now have Julius Randle and Marcus Morris.
The Knicks made it official Tuesday, snaring Morris from the Spurs’ grasp with a one-year, $14.8 million deal that uses up the final batch of their $70 million of cap space.
The Knicks also announced the reworked deal of shooting guard Reggie Bullock, giving them the maximum 15 players on the roster. According to a source, Bullock will receive a two-year deal starting at less than the $4.8 million room exception annually, with the second year a team option.
After spending more than $70 million on the 2019-20 payroll in the first two weeks of free agency, the Knicks’ goal is to win this season — not tank. Morris and Randle could be the starting-forward tandem with second-year man Kevin Knox moving to the bench.
“With Reggie and Marcus we are adding two more versatile, hardnosed and accomplished players to an already improved roster,” general manager Scott Perry said in a release. “We value both players’ perimeter shooting ability and their strong presence on the court and in the locker room. We’re excited to have them in New York and are confident they will excel playing for this team under Coach [David] Fizdale.”
Last season, his eighth in the NBA, Morris became a key contributor to the Celtics, averaging 13.9 points and 6.1 rebounds on 44.7 percent shooting. The 29-year-old shot a solid 37.5 percent from 3-point range. The Knicks become his fifth team.
“He works hard, has serious approach to his craft, and is an excellent teammate,’’ said a personnel man who had been with Morris previously.
Morris originally agreed to a twoyear, $20 million deal with the Spurs. The Knicks turned toward him after freeing up money when Bullock’s physical contained red flags. The Knicks backed out of a two-year, $21 million agreement with Bullock, concerned about his fitness, and worked on a revised, cheaper deal. Bullock has dealt with a series of injuries — meniscus, back and plantar fasciitis — in his career. According to a source, Bullock is not expected to be available for the start of the regular season.
RJ Barrett, the Knicks’ No. 3overall draft pick, is officially on Team Canada’s invite list for late August’s World Cup. He hasn’t ruled out going to training camp. Ignas Brazdeikis, the Knicks’ second-round pick also from Canada, is eyeing playing for his native Lithuania in the event which will be staged in China.