The best-laid plans were plotted months ahead, pairing Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to fill the massive amount of salary cap space cleared and save the day in New York. The Knicks just didn't plan on the Brooklyn Nets being the recipients of the star power infusion.
As free agency officially kicked off Sunday night, the Knicks saw the stars they had coveted months ago _ and planned on pursuing still with fingers crossed but fading faith _ ticking off the board. Durant and Irving going to Brooklyn, Kemba Walker to Boston and even Kristaps Porzingis signing on to a max deal worth $158 million over five years with Dallas.
The Knicks came to terms instead with Julius Randle, signing the 24-year-old power forward to a three-year, $63 million deal.
