This is the 14th in a series of player capsules from the Orlando Magic’s 2020-21 season. For the rest, go to orlandosentinel.com/magic:
Chasson Randle, guard
Games: 41. Games started: 5.
Per-game averages: 6.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.5 steals, 1.1 turnovers, 20.4 minutes.
Shooting: 38.8% FG, 33.8% 3FG, 79.2% FT
Contract status: Randle played the season on a two-way contract he signed in February. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent.
Top game: May 3 vs. Pistons — 18 points (6-for-10 shooting, 2-for-3 on 3s), 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover, 14.8 Game Score
The buzz: Randle was the second backup point guard the Magic had to bring in during the season amid injuries to Markelle Fultz, Michael Carter-Williams and Cole Anthony. Randle arrived in mid-February after the Magic released Frank Mason, who had sustained a groin injury in his fourth game with the team.
Randle was less of a playmaker and more of a facilitator and shooter. He averaged just 1.8 assists but knocked down 33.8% of his 3-point attempts (44-for-130) and showed an ability to score at the basket. He shot 70.8% on shots at the rim (34-for-48), with 24 of those field goals unassisted.
Randle’s 44 3s ranked eighth on the team, and he sank four 3s as part of a 13-point effort in the 121-113 win March 19 against the Nets.
Still, he had 13 games where he didn’t record an assist and six games where he recorded one assist.
But Randle took care of the basketball, averaging about one turnover a game. He had 17 games with one turnover and 12 without any turnovers.
The future: While he provided some solid minutes and gave the Magic a little stability at the backup point guard spot, the Magic are looking at a guard-heavy roster next season, particularly when they get back Fultz. Plus, the team could add another guard via the draft. Orlando, at this point, doesn’t need depth at guard, so even another two-way deal seems like more of a longshot for Randle.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Roy Parry at rparry@orlandosentinel.com. Follow on Twitter @osroyparry
