Los Angeles Lakers must sign Julius Randle after missing on Paul George

Since the Los Angeles Lakers missed on signing Paul George, they should focus on signing Julius Randle.

I traveled to Los Angeles this weekend to visit family, and to search for LeBron James around the city. However, Chrissy Teigen spotted LeBron at a small embroidery shop in L.A and it seemed clear. With his family almost clearly at the forefront of his decision, LeBron should be headed to the Lakers.

However, Paul George re-signed with the Thunder for a 4 year/$137 million contract. LeBron James knows as much as any player in the league that you need a second or third star to pair up to win a championship. If LeBron ditches Cleveland and heads to Philadelphia, and according to ESPN sources, does have Klutch Sports in a meeting with executives, Magic should be focused on internal growth. If superstars passing will be the norm (and has been for nearly two decades), why not focus on keeping the Lonzo, Ingram, Kuzma, Hart, and Randle core intact?

Julius Randle played all 82 games last year. Dealing with playing time cut short, rib injuries, and trade rumors, he had the choice to succumb to the inevitability of the franchise welcoming a goodbye. Instead, he kept in place, as the power forward position was opened up with a trade by Cleveland. After the All-Star Break, he averaged 20.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game on 55 percent from the field. It was clear Randle wanted his pay day, since L.A. declined to extend him before the season started.

Next: Ranking the 50 greatest Lakers of all-time

Julius Randle might be something special. Praised by executives and coaches alike, it might be only time before a 4 year/$80-100 million offer is on the books for Julius Randle and his agent Aaron Mintz. Whether the Lakers decide to plan for their future or win now is an interesting narrative, indeed. But with the All-Stars advancing past L.A. becoming the norm, it might be time for L.A. to throw out the superstar narrative and find one in the current roster instead.