New York Knicks: Julius Randle lands on Sports Illustrated’s top 100

New York Knicks power forward Julius Randle was named one of the top 100 players in the NBA for the 2019-20 season by Sports Illustrated.

The New York Knicks brought in a number of veterans this offseason hoping to push their rebuild into the next stage. If the Knicks are going to truly take steps back to relevancy, they need to start winning some games.

They have some intriguing young talent on the roster but added numerous veterans to each level of the roster this offseason. The most intriguing veteran that was signed is Julius Randle.

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Randle, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, has improved every season that he has been in the league. After breaking his leg just 14 minutes into his NBA career, Randle has bounced back nicely.

The former Kentucky Wildcat had some tumultuous times with the Los Angeles Lakers but finally began putting things together during the 2017-18 season.

Instead of allowing his displeasure with his role on the team impact him negatively, he used it as fuel and put together a strong season.

Randle averaged 16.1 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 26.7 minutes per game. He was met with a colder than anticipated free-agent market, agreeing to a two-year deal worth $18 million with the New Orleans Pelicans. He took another step forward with the Pelicans.

Randle put up some monster numbers in his lone season in the Big Easy. He averaged a career-high 21.4 points with 8.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists.

That performance is a big reason why he landed a nice upgrade in pay, as he and the Knicks agreed to a three-year deal worth just over $62 million.

Randle was rewarded for his performance with the Pelicans with a big contract in free agency. Now, he is also being recognized by some analysts as well.

Sports Illustrated recently began releasing their top 100 players for the 2019-20 NBA season. The first half of the list, No. 100-51, was revealed and Randle made the cut. The newest Knicks starting power forward came in at No. 79 on the list.

The assessment that was given to Randle is a fair one as well. Randle’s statistics were eye-popping last season, no doubt. Those kinds of numbers should have him under consideration for the All-Star team as he is also diversifying his offensive repertoire.

However, there are questions as to if he actually makes his team better when he is on the court.

Randle leaves something to be desired on the defensive end of the court. He isn’t much of a rim protector and doesn’t get many steals, either. But, he gives effort and has improved on that end of the court.

Randle doesn’t turn 25 until Nov. 29, so he fits the rebuilding timeline as he has not even entered his prime. Being in a bigger market in New York could also help him gain more exposure, as his great season in New Orleans went without much fanfare.

While the Knicks should be better this season, and Randle will be a big reason why, but, there is a chance that no other player on the roster makes this list.

Mitchell Robinson had a great season defensively, but it is hard to envision him being named one of the top 50 players in the league for this season given his limitations offensively.

Marcus Morris, whom the team also signed this offseason, is arguably the best signing for the organization given what he will bring to the roster. However, he just missed the cut of the top 100, as he was part of the top 25 snubs list that Sports Illustrated also put together.