Los Angeles Lakers: 3 picks from the 2010s we wish would have worked
By Zane Harris
Julius Randle
The Los Angeles Lakers selected Julius Randle with the 7th pick of the 2014 NBA Draft.
Randle only played one game with the Lakers in his rookie season. However, he reached his peak with Los Angeles in his final season with them. In this season, he averaged 16.1 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.
In the following offseason, Randle would sign with the New Orleans Pelicans on a two-year $18 million deal.
Playing a bigger role with the Pelicans led to Randle having an uptick in his averages. He averaged 21.4 points and 8.7 rebounds with the Pelicans.
The 2020-2021 season was by far the best Randle has ever had. He broke through into stardom and made his first All-Star game, was named to an All-NBA Team, and was awarded the Most Improved Player.
Along with this, he led the New York Knicks to their first playoff appearance in years. Although they were defeated in the first round by the Atlanta Hawks, bringing the Knicks back to the playoffs is a huge accomplishment.
Randle would have been a great power forward option for the Lakers and would allow the team to play Anthony Davis at the five.
He would have been a great fit even on the roster today and it would have been nice to see him continue his development with the Lakers.