5. Draft Ben Simmons then Trade Julius Randle
If you’ve watched any NCAA basketball, or even just random Ben Simmons highlights, it isn’t hard to tell that Ben Simmons is a far superior building block to Julius Randle. Playing the same position and doing virtually the same things, should the Lakers draft Simmons it’s seems logically to think that Randle could be on the move and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
In his first actual season with the Lakers, Randle showed that he is a double-double threat on a night to night basis but also that he has a lot of room to grow — specific regards to developing a consistent outside shot, a right hand and defensively.
Mitch would prefer a dramatic improvement with the team as opposed to a slow build (via @TWCSportsNet)
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) May 6, 2016
Considering how general manger, Mitch Kupchak, said that he prefers a quick turnaround as opposed to a long rebuild, trading the junior out of Kentucky might be more ideal than waiting for him to develop his game, regardless of how high his ceiling could be.
Even though the chemistry factor between Ben Simmons and D’Angelo Russell from their high school playing days has been over hyped, the fact that they’ve played together before can’t hurt.
This, however, only happens if the Philadelphia 76ers pass on Ben Simmons. Keep in mind, who knows if what the Lakers could get back in return for Randle is even that high.
Next: Trade Up In the Draft