Empire Writes Back
Fansided

New York Knicks Lose Chasson Randle To Philadelphia 76ers

By Kenneth Teape

Oct 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Chasson Randle (4) dribbles the ball past Washington Wizards forward/center Johnny O'Bryant III (7) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks won 90-88. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Chasson Randle (4) dribbles the ball past Washington Wizards forward/center Johnny O'Bryant III (7) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks won 90-88. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

New York Knicks training camp standout Chasson Randle has decided to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The New York Knicks looked to have unearthed a good prospect this offseason. Guard Chasson Randle had been someone the team had their eye on for a while and were finally able to get their hands on this summer.

In the summer of 2015, the Knicks tried to get Randle to come to training camp. Unable to pay him what he was seeking, Randle decided to head overseas. He came back stateside this past summer and the Knicks finally landed their man.

Randle played for the Knicks in the Orlando Summer League and excelled. In four games, Randle averaged 18.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 3.0 steals in 29.7 minutes per game. He shot an impressive 47.6 percent from the field and earned a spot with the Knicks in training camp.

More from New York Knicks

Randle had the inside track to a spot on the regular season 15-man roster. He had appeared in the first three preseason games for the Knicks and played well again. After playing only eight minutes against the Houston Rockets in the first game, Randle played 40 minutes combined against the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards.

Unfortunately, Randle suffered an orbital fracture. As a result, the Knicks went in another direction with their roster and Randle signed with the Westchester Knicks, their NBA D-League affiliate. Once again, Randle excelled.

In 19 games with Westchester, Randle has averaged 20.7 points, 10th in the D-League, 3.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.1 steals in 32 minutes per game. There was only so long until another team took a shot on Randle, and that time has come.

According to Shams Charania of The Vertical, the Philadelphia 76ers will be signing Randle to a 10-day contract.

ESPN New York’s Ian Begley reported that the Knicks had some discussions about whether or not to add Randle to their own roster. They ultimately opted against it, and now he is headed to Philadelphia.

It is a good landing spot for Randle, as the 76ers are always giving young players a chance and there are few places that are better than Philadelphia to get their feet wet in the NBA. The 76ers need help in their backcourt and Randle could have a shot at playing time right away.

This is a move that will probably disappoint many Knicks fans. Randle quickly became a fan favorite for his play during the summer and preseason. A team desperately looking for younger talent, it was peculiar that the Knicks didn’t bring him onto the roster.

While Ron Baker and Marshall Plumlee, two other undrafted rookies who were kept on the roster, have had their moments, one player comes to mind when thinking who could have been released to keep Randle; Sasha Vujacic.

Next: Brandon Jennings Wants More Accountability On Knicks

Vujacic was a player Phil Jackson brought in to help the team learn the triangle, but is his services really needed with a new head coach in Jeff Hornacek in town who runs his own offense? It is a decision the Knicks may regret down the road; Vujacic isn’t going to turn the tide for the Knicks, but Randle could develop into a serviceable player.

Home/New York Knicks