Kings splash cash on season-saving signings
IT’S the spending spree the Sydney Kings hope will save their struggling season.
On the back of a poor 2-6 start and a calf injury to skipper Kevin Lisch, the Kings sent out an SOS to reigning NBL MVP point guard Jerome Randle and ex-NBA centre Jeremy Tyler.
Randle, who was playing with Turkish club Bahçesehir after his successful stint with Adelaide last season, will link with Sydney on a one-year deal with an option.
As a proven point guard, the Chicago-born 30-year-old will provide the Kings with a potent offensive strike weapon.
Randle averaged 21.3 points for Adelaide last year, as he led the 36ers to the regular-season title before falling to Perth in the grand final series. He is expected to arrive in Australia early next week, with his first game to be against former club Adelaide on Saturday, November 18.
Sydney have also secured experienced big man Tyler on a one-year deal to help improve their battle on the boards.
After being drafted by the Charlotte Bobcats with the 39th pick in the 2011 NBA draft, he played 104 NBA games with three clubs from 2011-2014.
Since 2014, he has been playing in the Chinese Basket- ball Association, most recently with Tianjin Ronggang.
Tyler’s best season in the NBA came in 2011/2012, when he started the final 23 games of the regular season at centre for the Golden State Warriors. He also played 41 games for the New York Knicks in 2013/2014.
Tyler is expected to arrive at the end of the week and the Kings are hopeful he will run out for Saturday night’s clash with Melbourne United.
The signings mean Sydney will part with import swingman Travis Leslie and combo guard Jeremy Kendle.
AS A PROVEN POINT GUARD, THE CHICAGO-BORN 30-YEAR-OLD WILL PROVIDE THE KINGS WITH A POTENT OFFENSIVE STRIKE WEAPON