LAS VEGAS – Julius Randle wanted the Knicks as much as they wanted him. He believed the chance to play for “a starving fan base’’ in a city considered the best to win was too much to pass up.

The centerpiece of the Knicks’ six-player free-agent frenzy dropped by the Knicks’ summer-league opener against the Pelicans Friday and said he’s ready to make a big jump this season in an attempt to become an All-Star.

“It’s a dream come true to me,’’ said the burly 6-9 power forward who averaged 21.4 points and 8.7 rebounds on 52-percent shooting last season. “Being able to be the face of this iconic franchise. I had a lot of options. I felt this opportunity for me was the greatest opportunity. The whole fan base that’s staving and hungry to win more than (any team) in the NBA. I don’ think there’s a better place in the NBA to win than the Knicks.”

“I feel it was a no-brainer,’’ Randle added. “Every day I wake up, I pinch myself because I’m excited.”

In bringing up a chance to restore the toughness of the old Knicks, Randle even invoked Charles Oakley – one of owner James Dolan’s bitter enemies. Dolan also dropped by Friday’s contest and chatted with Randle in a game eventually postponed by a 6.9 fourth-quarter earthquake.

“We got dogs, man – dudes who don’t back down, a killer mentality,’’ Randle said of the players signed that also included Bobby Portis and Taj Gibson. “We have to get back to the old-school Charles Oakley Patrick Ewing, all those guys. Toughness. That’s the identity of our team. We don’t back down from nobody.’’

Randle, 24, had his career year with the Pelicans last season after being a disappointment as a Laker, who took him 7th in 2014. The knock on the Knicks’ haul is their failure to sign a single All-Star with $70 million in cap room.

“I improved every year,’’ said Randle, who signed a 3-year, $61 million deal. “I take a jump and I improve. This is going to be my biggest jump. I understand (the disappointment). That fan base is starving for (us) to be competitive every night to win. I’m going to wok my butt off to get to that point absolutely.’’

Randle came onto Knicks brass’ radar after he tore them apart at Staples Center two seasons ago. President Steve Mills and
GM Scott Perry knew they needed to add more athleticism up front with Randle as the example.

“They brought that up,’’ said Randle, eligible to officially sign his pact Saturday as the moratorium ends. “It was long plane road back. I do remember it. It was a fun game. Anytime you play the Knicks, you get up for it. I knew they were super interested from the start.”

He senses a connection with coach David Fizdale. “Me and Fiz, we’re a lot of alike,’’ Fizdale said. “He said when he took job, there was no better place to win. I felt the same thing. We think alike. We got a lot of good guys on this team, man.”

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