National Basketball Association

New York Knicks: Carmelo Anthony Endorses Chasson Randle

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Franchise player Carmelo Anthony offered a ringing endorsement of another player on the New York Knicks: point guard and roster hopeful Chasson Randle.

Within an NBA organization, few individuals are more influential than the franchise player. What they suggest isn’t guaranteed to materialize, but it’s only rational to value the opinion of the player whom the team is being built around.

If Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks’ front office truly covets Carmelo Anthony’s opinion, then Chasson Randle could be in store for some wonderful news.

Randle is currently on a partially guaranteed one-year deal worth $543,471. $100,000 is guaranteed to come his way, but the same can’t be said for the main roster spot that Randle is pursuing.

According to Al Iannazzone of Newsday, Anthony held nothing back when discussing Randle.

That’s a powerful endorsement considering the circumstances.

Derrick Rose is the starting point guard, but he has injury and legal concerns that could limit his availability. Brandon Jennings is the backup and sixth man, but he ruptured his achilles tendon in 2015 and only has 48 games of NBA regular season experience since then.

Having established that troubling reality, it’d only be rational for the Knicks to target a third point guard in order to create depth.

Randle certainly looked the part during the Knicks’ second preseason game. Matched up with the Brooklyn Nets, Randle lit the crosstown rivals up to the tune of 14 points, two rebounds, two assists, and three steals in 21 minutes.

It was a tremendous performance that clearly captured the attention of his teammates.

Anthony has essentially entered a public plea for Randle to be signed to the main roster. Randle could play for the Westchester Knicks in the NBA D-League, but New York may end up needing him on the main roster by season’s end.

If nothing else, Randle has the support of the franchise player.

That alone guarantees him a legitimate opportunity to make the main roster.