1. Renouncing Julius Randle
Another move involving the frontcourt and we have another move we wish didn’t happen. In today’s NBA, having a small-ball center is imperative. The Lakers looked to have found one during the 2017-18 season in Julius Randle.
Randle had a breakout season in 2017-18. Once he was inserted as the starting power forward, he took off, averaging 18.6 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. He also recorded the best defensive rating of his career while also emerging as a small-ball center option.
Randle seemed like a lock to come back to the Lakers, but that didn’t pan out. Not only did Los Angeles renounce his rights, they reportedly never even offered him a contract. Even the coaching staff reportedly urged the front office to retain Randle, but to no avail.
Randle ended up signing with the New Orleans Pelicans for $18 million over two years, the second year of which is a player option.
You can guarantee that Randle will be declining that option. He has stuffed the stat sheet this season, averaging 21.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists. Randle should have no problem surpassing the $9 million salary he earned this season in free agency.
What makes things even more painful about that contract agreement with the Pelicans was that the Lakers had to renounce his rights to let it happen. The Lakers could have matched that offer while Randle was a restricted free agent. Instead, Los Angeles renounced him and used that money to sign Rajon Rondo.
That collective groan you heard was Lakers fans around the world being reminded of the worst move Johnson and Pelinka have completed since they took over the front office.
Their handling of the frontcourt situation since taking over the front office has been underwhelming. They didn’t hand Timofey Mozgov to a $64 million contract, but their moves involving frontcourt players have done almost as much damage.