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Los Angeles Lakers: Julius Randle extended qualifying offer

By Mason Kern

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 05: Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the second half of a game against the Charlotte Hornets at Staples Center on January 5, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 05: Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the second half of a game against the Charlotte Hornets at Staples Center on January 5, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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With all of the rumors surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers, will they be able to afford Julius Randle if an offer sheet comes through?

Free agency officially begins Saturday, July 1 at 9:01 p.m. PDT. However, behind closed doors, free agency has already begun. Step one for the Los Angeles Lakers: make sure they control where Julius Randle signs.

Randle is set to hit the market on Saturday, but he will do so as a restricted free agent. The Lakers extended the forward a $5.6 million qualifying offer on Wednesday, retaining the rights to his contract. Should Randle decide to sign elsewhere, the Lakers will have 48 hours to match the offer, otherwise he walks.

After a tragic injury ended his rookie season , Randle has steadily improved in all of his three years since.  He averaged 11.3 points his sophomore season, 13.2 the year after that, and had a breakout 2017-18 campaign averaging 16.1 points and 8.0 boards.

Randle was the best player on the Lakers last season. His steady progression and breakout year set him up to make a hefty contract this offseason, one LA may not be able to afford.

One major suitor is the Dallas Mavericks. Randle is from Dallas, and head coach Rick Carlisle raved about him last season.

His numbers do not lie. Randle started 49 games for the Lakers this past season with totals of 18.6 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists nightly. There were only four players putting up at least 19 points, nine rebounds and three assists last year: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Russell Westbrook, Joel Embiid and DeMarcus Cousins.

Production at this level, at just 23-years-old, will make Randle a hot commodity this offseason. If the Lake Show has any hope of landing San Antonio Spurs disgruntled star Kawhi Leonard, plus either LeBron James or Paul George, Randle might be on his way out of Hollywood.

However, the Lakers own his Bird Rights meaning they can go over the salary cap to resign him if need be.

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With so much trade talk consuming the Lakers right now, nobody truly knows what the roster may look like next season. Randle’s development in Los Angeles has been astounding, and it will be scary to see how much better he becomes.

Let’s just hope it is the other 29 teams scared of him and not the Lakers.

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