Los Angeles Lakers: Three reasons why they should trade Julius Randle

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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 18: (L-R) Magic Johnson, Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss attend Kobe Bryant’s jersey retirement ceremony during a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on December 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) /

– Contract status

At the end of the season, Randle will be becoming a restricted free agent. While this means that the Lakers ultimately have a say whether or not he stays or goes, a team could come in with a huge offer that the Lakers don’t want to match.

It has been no secret that the Lakers are trying to have as much cap flexibility this coming offseason with a few premier free agents likely to be available. With the desire being to land two max free agents, that doesn’t leave any room for Randle and the contract that he will likely be receiving this offseason.

For the Lakers, the contract status of Randle might ultimately be the deciding factor on whether or not they want to trade him before the deadline. Since he is only playing about 22 minutes per game for them this season, it appears like Walton is certainly comfortable moving forward with other options. Considering that Randle is a player that is certainly capable of being a starter in the NBA and a good player, a team will likely offer him a contract the Lakers are going to be uncomfortable matching.

As a former Top 10 pick, the Lakers would be wise to trade Randle and get something of value in return rather than not match a contract offer this offseason.

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