Chasson Randle provides depth at the point guard position. The New York Knicks need to call him up sooner than later.
The New York Knicks snapped a three-game losing streak Tuesday night against the Indiana Pacers, 116-110, in Derrick Rose‘s return.
Rose missed four of the last six games with back spasms, and during his absence, New York found themselves short-handed at the point guard position. Because the back problems could linger throughout the season, the Knicks shouldn’t waste any more time in calling up Chasson Randle to the main roster.
Randle spent the preseason trying to earn a spot on New York’s final 15 man roster. The 6-2, 185-pound guard only managed to play in three games before a facial fracture cut his preseason short.
During that stretch, he averaged 7.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.3 steals in 15.7 minutes per game. The Knicks decided to send Randle down to the Westchester Knicks of the NBA’s Developmental League to obtain additional playing time.
The former Stanford Cardinal has led the D-league affiliate to a record of 8-5 with averages 22.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 0.9 steals in 32.7 minutes per game on an impressive slash line of .438/.393/.831. He’s had back-to-back games with 38 and 36 points on a combined 16 of 20 from three-point range.
The 23-year-old was named the D-League Performer of the week with averages of 28.7 points and 4.3 assists while connecting on 17 of his 29 shots from three.
Nobody is saying that Randle needs to be called up and be given starters minutes. The goal should be to have enough depth on the bench that if an injury does occur, the team does not miss a beat.
Like Rose, Randle is a bigger guard who has a frame that allows him to fight through screens and stay in front of his man on defense. It’s something that backup Brandon Jennings is having a problem with at this time.
When Rose missed time with his injury, Jennings was used as the starter. Ron Baker and Sasha Vujacic were used as backup point guards.
The problem is that Jennings is effective in small doses and should come off the bench for New York to be successful. Baker and Vujacic are naturally two guards. Those two are better at catch and shooting rather than being the dominant ball guard who brings the ball up the court.
The Knicks need to provide themselves with insurance for their two injury prone point guards. They need to call up Chasson Randle before it becomes too late.
