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LeBron James stole headlines yesterday after he penned a 4-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, but the New York Knicks were moving like real Gs with their quiet quality signings.
Quietly, the Knicks signed Luke Kornet to a new one-year deal worth $1.6 million, and the Knicks signed former Orlando Magic swingman Mario Hezonja to a one-year deal worth $6.5 million. Hezonja’s deal will eat into the Knicks $8.6 million mid-level exception, which more than likely means fan favorite Kyle O’Quinn will be looking elsewhere for employment.
Kornet burst onto the scene last season, in February, against the Raptors. That game he finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds, and it was clear why the Knicks promoted him from its G-League affiliate Westchester Knicks. Throughout the season, he showed flashes of growth, and he ended the season averaging 6.7 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.
Unlike Kornet, Hezonja has been more of an enigma. Drafted fifth, behind Knicks star 
big-man Kristaps Porzingis, Hezonja was dubbed the European Kobe Bryant, but he often ended up playing like that player you’d only insert into the game during garbage time. While he has failed to impress, he showed late signs of improvement, and he ended last season scoring in double-digits in nine of his last ten games.
Photo Credit: Kim Klement/USA Today Sports
Signing both Kornet and Hezonja shows the Knicks commitment to the youth movement, and with both players signing one-year contracts, the Knicks are still in prime position to keep their cap situation flexible enough to go after big name free agents in 2019.
