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Los Angeles Lakers must re-sign restricted free agent Julius Randle

By Ed Schrenzel

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 03: Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers brings the ball up court against the Utah Jazz in a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 3, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Julius Randle
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 03: Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers brings the ball up court against the Utah Jazz in a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 3, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Julius Randle /
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Los Angeles Lakers: Julius Randle would love to return
Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images /

Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle will be a restricted free agent and the team must re-sign him.

There should be no doubt about it for the Los Angeles Lakers. It ought to be a no-brainer to bring back restricted free agent, Julius Randle.

Julius Randle accomplished the following this past season:
• Led the Lakers in points and rebounds
• Was first among regulars in shooting percentage
• Played at an all-star level for the final 3 months of the season
• Is by all accounts a great teammate
• Was called one of the best man defenders in the league by Coach Luke Walton (who also said he’d love to have Randle back next season)

You’d think it would be automatic that the Lakers would do everything possible to keep him, right? After all, Randle is a restricted free agent, so the Lakers can match any offer he receives, providing they don’t renounce their rights. So if they want to keep him, they can. The choice is theirs.

Then why isn’t it a sure thing that they will re-sign Randle this summer?

Randle, who missed all but 14 minutes of his rookie year due to injury, just completed his third playing season on a high note. He played all 82 games, averaged 16.1 points and 8.0 rebounds a game while shooting 56.3 percent from the field. Since the All-Star break, his averages rose to about 21 points and 10 rebounds.

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Randle provided a tough, formidable physical presence inside the paint that the Lakers otherwise lacked. He was essentially an unstoppable beast near the hoop. The folks at Spectrum Sports Network labeled him ‘The Punisher’ because of the damage he inflicted on opponents trying to guard him.

They reported that he finished 4th in the league in layups/dunks, trailing only LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Russell Westbrook. Randle played far fewer minutes than any of those three, all of whom will be named to the all-NBA first or second team.

They also said that he became only the 5th Laker ever to average 15 or more points, at least 8 rebounds, 2.5 or more assists, and shoot 55 percent or better in a season. You may have heard of the other four: Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal and Pau Gasol. All of them are (or will be) members of the basketball Hall of Fame. (Yes, Gasol will make the HOF, at the very least for his international contributions).

Not every NBA player truly wants to be great. Not all are willing to put in the hard work required to reach elite status at the highest level. Many are happy to just play supporting roles, enjoy the camaraderie and collect their paychecks. Julius Randle works extremely hard because he does, indeed, aim to become a great player. And he wants to be a great player with the Lakers!

So once again the question is, why is there any doubt that the Lakers will re-sign Julius Randle?

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