Los Angeles Lakers must re-sign restricted free agent 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
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 must re-sign restricted free agent Julius Randle
Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images /

Reasons and Rebuttals To Signing Randle

There seem to be two possible reasons for the Lakers to not re-sign Randle.
1. Great value is placed on “stretch-4” big men who can step out and hit the 3-pointer these days, but Randle’s outside shot is notably subpar.

2. The Lakers have ample salary cap space. Magic Johnson, the head of Lakers basketball operation, has made it clear that he wants to sign two elite free agents. If he is successful, the team probably will not have room to also sign Randle.

It is very easy to counter those arguments:
1. To begin with, Randle is so good inside that he commands extra attention. That, in turn, opens up space for other Lakers to shoot 3’s or cut to the hoop for an easy shot. And he’s become more adept at passing out of double teams to find the open man.

Additionally, Randle is still only 23 years old. His range will almost certainly improve. He shot a respectable 71.8 percent from the free throw line (which was higher than teammates Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Brook Lopez, Josh Hart and Lonzo Ball). That shows that he has a relatively decent stroke. If, as expected, he puts in time practicing his outside shot, he should be able to make it a more reliable weapon… just as both Magic and LeBron did later in their careers.

2. Although Randle has not yet peaked, he is already approaching the elite status that Johnson covets. Julius will never be as good as LeBron, but he is 10 years younger and should be able to contribute to the Lakers success long after Father Time has ebbed away James’ talents. So as sacrilegious as it sounds, Randle is actually a better long-term fit for the team than James is.