The Team Desperately Needs More Offensive Output
Granted the Lakers are in the top half of the league in points per game, do not be fooled by that fact. The ball club has had far too many games this season where they have struggled to score over multi-minute stretches.
On numerous occasions these ice cold stretches transpire at the onset of contests. As a result, the purple-and-gold have been subject to putting themselves into unsightly holes and have had to play catch up. This partially explains why L.A. may lose energy at the tail end of games.
One way to combat this would be to pencil in Julius Randle as a starter. Due to his bully-esque style of play, he would instantly grant the Lakers with a regular threat on offense.
In spite of his decreased playing time this season, Randle ranks 31st in total points in the paint per game at 8.5. Accordingly, imagining what he could do with elevated minutes is thought-provoking.
It is no secret that Randle does not consistently shoot well from long-range or even mid-range. Since Brook Lopez is more of a floor spacer, though, the potential pairing could be a deadly one. There is no denying that the two would complement one another.
Despite Randle still being an unreliable shooter, Walton perfectly articulated what makes Randle so tough to guard earlier this season. Via an article from Los Angeles Times reporter Tania Ganguli, the following is what the coach had to say.
"“We need people to dive, roll to the rim to penetrate the defense, to collapse the defense, so there are other things available, and he’s been really dang good at doing it,” Walton said. “When he turns himself into that dynamic roller with all that work he put in this offseason as far as changing his body and how explosive he is now, just really hard to deal with.”"
On the grounds that the Lakers have not shot the ball well from the perimeter, an energetic banger like Julius provides much-needed relief. Easy points are never something to complain about.
This perspective is not meant to be viewed as a knock against fan favorite Kyle Kuzma, who has been the team’s leading scorer this year. Kuzma seems to be better suited off the bench alongside Jordan Clarkson simply because he, like Clarkson, has the ability to rapidly get hot.
Another reason Randle should be starting is by virtue of his playmaking skills. For a big man, he is above average with regard to creating opportunities for others. That being said, if Luke decided have him at the 4, some weight would be taken off of Lonzo Ball’s shoulders. This would be good since the expectations on Ball are through the roof.
With all of that out there, it is beyond clear at this point that Randle has been more productive than Nance. Few have slowed the former down once he gets the rock down low, and Los Angeles should thereby reward him.