Los Angeles Lakers: What to do to make the playoffs next year
By Tadi Abedje
Re-Sign Julius Randle
The big 6’9″ power forward will be a restricted free agent this summer and is in line for a big payday. He is playing the best basketball of his career after being demoted from the starting lineup at the beginning of the season.
According to Basketball-Reference, Randle is averaging 21.9 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists Per 36 minutes. They should keep him because he has arguably been the best player on the team and a foundational piece that they can build around.
Sign Free Agents
Los Angeles used to be known to as a destination for free agents to come to. But with at least $39 million dollars in cap space, they can add more by getting rid of Luol Deng‘s expensive contract.
The free agent market is led by LeBron James, Paul George, DeMarcus Cousins, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, DeAndre Jordan, Jabari Parker, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Brook Lopez, Isaiah Thomas and countless others.
If they sign a few of these impactful players, it still strengthens the quality of the team mixing them with the younger players.