The Knicks made no deals prior to the trade deadline, causing Carmelo Anthony to question the team’s direction.
It’s as if Phil Jackson now just woke up and realized he could do something.
With the trade deadline passed, New York is waiving Brandon Jennings to sign Chasson Randle.
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports:
The New York Knicks are waiving guard Brandon Jennings, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 27, 2017
The Knicks are planning to use Jennings roster spot to sign free agent guard Chasson Randle, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 27, 2017
76ers needed Randle's roster spot in Noel trade w/ Dallas, waived him Thursday. He'll sign partial guarantee through 2017-'18, sources say.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 27, 2017
This is a good move executed in seemingly the most ham-handed way possible.
The Knicks couldn’t have traded Jennings for a second-rounder last week? He’s on a one-year contract worth just $5 million, which should have made it easy to line up salaries. He’s overrated, because his flashy moments and presence in a big market dwarf erratic play overall. Still, for teams ready to win now that needed a backup point guard, Jennings could have added value.
And even if potential Jennings trades wouldn’t have cleared a roster spot, the Knicks could have waived Sasha Vujacic instead. Vujacic is washed up, but he’s a Jackson favorite.
Still, the Knicks are better off now. They open playing time for promising rookie Ron Baker and add the 24-year-old Randle, who shined in limited minutes with the 76ers earlier this season. New York has circled Randle since went undrafted out of Stanford in 2015. He played for the Knicks in summer league and the preseason, but they cut him once he got hurt.
For a team headed back to the lottery, better to emphasize youth -- though it would have been even better to do so before the trade deadline.
Jennings is also better off, likely to join a better team. I wouldn’t rule out the Nuggets or Jazz claiming him on waivers, but he most likely clears waivers and picks his next destination.
