Knicks News Roundup - Randle Parts Ways With CAA

We're just two weeks away from the start of training camp, folks! We're almost there. While we wait, let's catch up on some Knicks-related news.

🏀 The William Morris Agency announced Monday afternoon they had signed a new client: Knicks power forward Julius Randle.

Ordinarily, a player deciding to switch representation isn't all that newsworthy. However, this situation is unique, as Randle left Creative Artist Agencies to join WMA, and we know all the incredibly close ties between CAA and the Knicks. 

First and foremost, New York's team president, Leon Rose, ran CAA's basketball division before getting hired by James Dolan. Several prominent Knicks are repped by CAA, including Jalen Brunson, Isaiah Hartenstein and Josh Hart. (Leon Rose's son, Sam, is Brunson's current agent.) Head coach Tom Thibodeau is a CAA client, as are associate head coach Johnnie Bryant and assistant coach Rick Brunson.

Thus, the Knicks' leading scorer and sole All-Star leaving Creative Artist Agencies, whom he had been with since his rookie season with the Lakers in 2014, will raise eyebrows. However, despite prompt speculation from some fans, there's no reason to jump to any dramatic conclusion at this point. WMA is a huge agency and is very well respected in the industry. They employ Andrew Thomas, who spent over a decade at CAA Sports and worked closely with Randle during that time. In an IG post on Monday afternoon, Thomas wrote, "Excited for the reunion is an understatement. Let's get it @JuliusRandle30." 

Earlier this year, WMA acquired BDA Sports and brought in BDA founder and mega-agent Bill Duffy to head its basketball division. Duffy represents several young studs, such as Luka Doncic, Scottie Barnes, Chet Holmgren and Deandre Ayton. He also reps Knicks wing RJ Barrett. 

"The collaboration and partnership with WME is the best that I can offer my clients," Duffy said in March. "My philosophy is the long game and caring about your future well beyond your playing days. WME has so many retired athletes who've exceeded their expectations in that area -- and it offers our clients a chance to look at that bigger picture while you're still on the court now. "To me, this is like a brand-new start, like a new day one. I'm more excited than ever, and I plan on continuing to do this for a long time."

Randle still has three seasons left on the four-year $117 million contract he signed in 2022, but he can opt out to become a free agent following the 2024-25 campaign. He'll become eligible to sign an extension next summer. Something to keep in mind… 

🏀 The Knicks announced Friday they were bringing back free agent point guard Ryan Arcidiacono. To make room for Arch, they waived center Dmytro Skapintsev, who signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the team in August. 

Arcidiacono started last season with the Knicks and logged a total of just 26 minutes over 11 games before being dealt to the Blazers in February in the Josh Hart deal. Some fans have questioned the signing, wondering why New York would potentially use their final roster spot on an undersized guard who has almost no chance of cracking Thibs' rotation. 

Well, the answer is partly because Arcidiacono knows full well he has almost no chance of cracking Thibs' rotation. When NBA clubs are rounding out their roster, having guys bellyache from the bench that they are not getting the minutes they deserve can result in unwanted and unnecessary drama. Conversely, having guys at the end of the bench who are content to practice their tails off and cheer wholeheartedly for teammates during games is often prioritized. 

According to SNY's Ian Begley, the Knicks "were reluctant" to include Arcidiacono in the deal for Hart and did so only to "satisfy league trade stipulations." Begley added that Tom Thibodeau "often praised Arcidiacono for his professionalism last season." 

Furthermore, Arcidiacono is the fourth former Villanova Wildcat on the roster, joining Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo. As we know, Arcidiacono is a close, personal friend of Brunson and was a groomsman in his buddy's wedding this summer. 

The reality is that Brunson is now the face of the Knicks franchise, and keeping your most valuable player happy can't hurt. Leon Rose, who spent most of his life on the agency side of business, understands what goes into keeping stars happy and content. Relationships matter. Trust me, the Knicks front office knows Brunson can become an unrestricted free agent in 2025 if he chooses not to sign an extension with New York. 

It's also worth noting that, following the signing announcement, Hart tweeted, "Yo @mikal_bridges hit my phone. Want to run something by you real quick." Hart was obviously joking, but all the Villanova love inside MSG is undoubtedly not lost on Bridges, one of the best two-way wings in the NBA. Expect Brunson, Arch, DiVincenzo and Hart to continue to playfully flirt with Bridges over the next couple of years - which will surely annoy Nets fans. 

As an aside, Bridges has one of the best-value contracts in the NBA. The Nets made out really well in that Kevin Durant trade.

🏀 In The Athletic's preview of the Atlantic Division, analysts were asked to pick one player they believe will break out this season. Boston beat writer Jared Weiss went with Quentin Grimes. 

Weiss: "This year is gonna be Grime time at MSG. Immanuel Quickley made the national leap last year, but Quentin Grimes has the potential to make that same ascension as he gets better at attacking the rim and making decisions off the catch. He's a good spot-up shooter who can drive open space to throw it down and finish solidly in transition; plus, he gets buckets on a nightly basis from cutting backdoor and crashing the offensive glass. He knows how to work the floor and find a role in the offense, but there's more creativity to unlock in his game, and he should take another step forward this year."

🏀 In his wrapup of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Yahoo's senior NBA reporter Jake Fischer highlighted several players who excelled during the three-week competition. One of the players to earn plenty of praise was Knick draftee and Lithuanian guard Rokas Jokubaitis. During Lithuania's impressive run to the knock-out stage, Jokubaitis averaged 12.6 points, a team-high 5.8 assists (vs. just 1.8 turnovers), 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 made three-pointers. 

And his offensive efficiency was as impressive as his overall production. Rokas shot 50.7% from the floor, 55% from downtown and 82.4% from the charity stripe. 

According to Fischer, Jokubaitis "drew strong reviews from various team scouts and personnel in attendance, plus those who watched from afar. At 6-4 and just 22 years old, Jokubaitis drilled 55% of his 20 3-pointers at the World Cup and peppered passes throughout Lithuania's scoring attack to the tune of 5.8 assists per game."

Jokubaitis' option for the 2023-24 season with FC Barcelona has already been picked up, so he'll be stashed overseas for at least one more season, but the Knicks front office has to be delighted with what they saw from the young point guard this summer.