Adelaide 36ers coach CJ Bruton says the club's bombshell decision to part ways with star import Craig Randall II is the best move for the team going forward.
The NBL side announced the decision in a statement this morning, just seven games into the 2022–23 season.
The club said the decision had been made by mutual consent.
"The decision has been made in the best interests of Craig and the club moving forward and for Craig to pursue other opportunities at the highest level," the statement said.
"The 36ers organisation would like to thank Craig for his time at the club and wish him all the best in his future endeavours."
Randall leaves the club as the 36ers' leading scorer, and fourth in the NBL for points per game.
Over the six matches he played, he averaged more than 20 points per game, and he is known for his ability to convert from three-point range.
However, despite his stand-out performances, the Sixers have only won three of their seven games, and it is believed Randall had caused chemistry issues within the playing squad.
Bruton said it would be difficult to lose such a talented player — but there were underlying issues that needed to be resolved.
"For what Craig's been able to showcase and do so far, I think it's just mutual respect," Bruton said.
"You saw what he did for this franchise already; he is one of the leading scorers and a talented player.
"I think it's best that we part ways at this point of time in the season so he can go fulfil his goals and dreams and we can continue on our pathway."
Randall 'wasn't happy' with being benched
It is understood some players from the 36ers squad had approached the club saying they had issues playing with Randall.
Bruton would not go into detail about those talks, but he said the players supported the club's decision.
"I've given everything to try and make that work, this is not a one-way street," Bruton said.
"As a team, we all tried to be on the same page … [and] it was a matter of working through certain things.
"When you talk about the dynamics of the team, he played within the scheme of things and did everything well and I like to think, between him and me, we were at peace."
Randall was one of three big-name signings for the 36ers in the off-season, with American stars Robert Franks and Antonius Cleveland also joining the roster.
With so many key players, minutes had to be shared on the court and it is believed Randall also did not like how often he was being benched.
"I'm not saying that's the only reason for this decision or where we're at right now, but overall, yeah, he wasn't happy with that," Bruton said.
Nick Marshall has been elevated to the 11-man roster and the club will now look elsewhere for an import replacement.
