Julius Randle and the New York Knicks scored a couple of big wins on Wednesday evening both on and off the court. In Madison Square Garden, the Knicks continue to peak at the right time with another impressive home win against the Atlanta Hawks. Off the court, they managed to beef up their frontcourt with a low-key signing that could prove to be a game-changer come playoff time as they snagged center Norvel Pelle.
Shams Charania of The Athletic broke the news on Twitter:
The New York Knicks are signing center Norvel Pelle to a multiyear deal, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. His second 10-day deal ended today. Pelle finds home after stops in Brooklyn and Sacramento this season.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 22, 2021
The 28-year-old big man will immediately add some much-needed length in the Knicks frontline, which is currently spearheaded by vets like Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson. However, both of them have joined Mitchell Robinson on the injury list after getting hurt in their OT win against the Hawks.
Knicks have now lost two centers as Nerlens Noel walks to the locker room after getting elbowed in mouth. Taj Gibson had already left after being smacked in eye. Mitchell Robinson is out for regular season.
— Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) April 22, 2021
The addition of Pelle gives head coach Tom Thibodeau some more depth to help manage everyone's minutes as the Knicks' playoff push continues.
Pelle has been on one heck of a journey in his basketball career which now finds him playing at the mecca of basketball. Earlier this year, the Antiguan-Lebanese center found himself in a couple of 10-day situations with the Sacramento Kings and, more recently, the Brooklyn Nets. Now, he's hoping that he could bring his length and athleticism to the surging Knicks.
All this should trickle down and help stars like Randle can focus on what he has to do which is get some buckets. The first-year All-Star has been nothing short of fantastic for his team all season and continues to lead New York to the middle of the East's playoff race. He dropped 40 points and 11 rebounds against the Hawks on Wednesday.
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