Knicks Rumors: Reasons To Love Chasson Randle Signing

Apr 2, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Stanford Cardinal guard Chasson Randle (5) receives the most outstanding player award after the game against the Miami (Fl) Hurricanes in the championship game of the 2015 NIT college basketball tournament at Madison Square Garden. Stanford Cardinal won 66-64 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

3 of 6

Mar 7, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard T.J. McConnell (4) dribbles the ball as he is defended by Stanford Cardinal guard Chasson Randle (5) during the first half at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Defensive Potential

Chasson Randle was rather inconsistent on the defensive end of the floor during his Stanford Cardinal career. The potential is there for greatness, however, as he possesses extraordinary length and plus athleticism.

If Jeff Hornacek can tap into what motivates Randle defensively, then the New York Knicks would be getting a legitimate two-way player.

Randle has the physical capacity for defensive proficiency. He has the length and athleticism to play the passing lanes to perfection, and has proven exactly that during his rare moments of tenacity.

Though the sample size is small, he averaged 3.0 steals per game for the Knicks at Summer League—a big improvement from the 1.2 he averaged in college.

There’s clearly more to defense than steals, but Randle has the potential to be a productive ball hawk. He stands at just 6’1.5″, but has a massive 6’7″ wingspan, a 39.5″ max vertical leap, and the quickness to get his hand into the passing lanes.

He’s been inconsistent thus far, but Randle has the potential to become a plus on-ball defender and a turnover-creating machine.

Next: Spacing

Home/Knicks Rumors