Julius Randle agrees to 4-year extension with Knicks: reports

All-Star forward Julius Randle has agreed to a four-year, $117 million US extension with the New York Knicks, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Thursday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no deals can be signed before Friday at noon Eastern time.

Randle could have become a free agent after next season. The new deal takes effect following next season and brings his contract's total value to five years and $140 million.

Randle earned the new deal by leading the Knicks to the playoffs in his best season. He set a career high by scoring 24.1 points per game and matched his high by averaging 10.2 rebounds in his seventh season.

Randle also set career highs with 6.0 assists per game and his 41 per cent shooting on 3-pointers. He was named the NBA's Most Improved Player.

The six-foot-eight Randle played at Kentucky and was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. He has averaged 17.4 points and 9.2 rebounds in his career.

The agreement with Randle is the Knicks' second deal with an all-star to be disclosed in two days. On Wednesday, a person with knowledge of the situation said four-time all-star point guard Kemba Walker will sign with the Knicks after agreeing to a buyout with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Walker was born in the Bronx.

The 31-year-old Walker is owed nearly $74 million for the next two seasons, including a $37.6 million option that he held for 2022-23. He never played for the Thunder, who acquired him in a trade with Boston in June in the deal that sent Al Horford back to the Celtics.

Hawks sign draft picks Johnson, Cooper

The Atlanta Hawks signed first-round draft pick Jalen Johnson on Thursday before the forward participates in the team's summer league in Las Vegas.

The former Duke standout was the No. 20 overall pick in the NBA draft last week. The Hawks on Thursday also signed their second-round pick, point guard Sharife Cooper from Auburn, to a two-way contract.

Johnson, Cooper and 2020 second-round pick Skylar Mays will be on the summer league team that will compete in Las Vegas from Sunday through Aug. 17. The team will be coached by Hawks assistants Jamelle McMillan and Marlon Garnett and newly named G League College Park SkyHawks coach Steve Gansey.

The six-foot-nine Johnson could play at either forward spot. He played only 13 games as a freshman at Duke last season. He averaged 11.2 points and 6.1 rebounds.

Cooper averaged 20.2 points and 8.1 assists as a freshman at Auburn.