Knicks All-Star Julius Randle Leaves CAA, Signs With New Agency
The New York Knicks might be working through a quiet offseason in terms of transactions, but Julius Randle engaged in a big one as the weeks to training camp dwindle.
WME Sports announced the addition of Randle on Monday, ending his long-standing relationship with Creative Artists Agency. Per Forbes, fellow NBA All-Stars Luka Doncic and Joel Embiid are among WME's athletic clientele and a 2020 purchase of a "significant stake" in Bill Duffy's BDA Sports Management also placed Knicks teammate RJ Barrett under their umbrella.
The switch could have a muted ripple effect on the Knicks' future: Randle, set to embark upon his 10th NBA season, had been with CAA since his NBA entry in 2014 with the Los Angeles Lakers. CAA's basketball affairs were previously led by Leon Rose prior to his arrival as the Knicks' president in 2020.
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Randle has been the Knicks' defining face of the current decade, earning two appearances each on the All-Star and All-NBA teams, as well as 2020-21's Most Improved Player Award, since coming over from New Orleans. Last season was Randle's first on a four-year, $117 million contract extension signed in August 2021 and he returned to his All-Star self after a disappointing follow-up to the MIP campaign (averaging 25.1 points, 10 rebounds).
Some have wondered, however, if Randle is capable of leading a legitimate championship cause. The Knicks have been to the playoffs twice in the past three seasons with the Kentucky alum holding a starring role but he has struggled in the postseason to the tune of a 17.1-point average on 34 percent shooting. Last season's 11-game trip saw his averages dip to 16.6 points and 8.3 rebounds though there may have been lingering aftershocks due to a late ankle injury that cost him a shot at playing in all 82 regular season contests.
As the Knicks continue to linger in conversations and gossip surrounding the fate of some of the NBA's established superstars (i.e. Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo), Randle's metropolitan future could be called into question. As it stands, Randle has a player option for the 2025-26 season before officially hitting free agency the summer after.
Randle is truly anticipating an exit from New York or simply looking for representation without a direct line to his employer remains to be seen, but it will certainly fester as a subplot in the Knicks' long-term future.
