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Los Angeles Lakers: Five players facing make or break seasons

By William Jordan

EL SEGUNDO, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers makes fun of a teammate while he poses for photographs with Julius Randle #30 Larry Nance Jr. #7 looking on during media day September 25, 2017, in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
EL SEGUNDO, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers makes fun of a teammate while he poses for photographs with Julius Randle #30 Larry Nance Jr. #7 looking on during media day September 25, 2017, in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Weaknesses heading into 2017-18 regular season
SAN ANTONIO,TX – JANUARY 12: Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers fights Patty Mills #24 of the San Antonio Spurs for rebound position at AT&T Center on January 12, 2017 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /

Julius Randle

As a restricted free agent next summer, Randle is playing for his first big contract. At times over the past few seasons, Randle has looked like a great player ready to lead the league in rebounds and put up 20 plus a night.

Who can forget Randle yelling “you can’t guard me” at Draymond Green and looking (sort of) like he could deliver on it or leading the break as he pushes the ball like a one-man wrecking crew?.

Yes, this is Randle’s big season. He has a big-time passer in Lonzo Ball, a center who can space the floor and will have every opportunity to show what his new and improved body can do!

Randle has presumably also been working on his outside shot, but the jury is out on if he can really be an effective shooter from three-point range averaging just 27 percent both of the last two years.

In Randle’s favor is the consistent improvement in his shooting percentage. He improved from 33 percent as a rookie, to 42 percent in 2015-16 and almost 49 percent last season. Also in his favor is his work ethic, which by all indicators is exceptional.

Randle’s ceiling is still unclear. Is he a solid but unspectacular starter or a potential All-Star about to dominate? Is he a defensive liability per his -1.8 real plus-minus last year (just ahead of Kris Humphries and rookie Domantas Sabonis) or can he step it up on both sides of the floor?

As much as I’m rooting for Randle and love the work ethic, he needs to truly have a breakout season with his shooting and defense to show he can be more than a decent role player in the Lakers rotation.

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