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Why the Lakers should be jumping at a Julius Randle trade

By Jason Reed

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 02: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks drives against Kyle Anderson #1 of the Memphis Grizzlies on February 2, 2022 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. 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 Rich Graessle/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 02: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks drives against Kyle Anderson #1 of the Memphis Grizzlies on February 2, 2022 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. 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 Rich Graessle/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers need to find a way to get Russell Westbrook off the roster before the 2022-23 season begins. It appears that a Kyrie Irving trade is not going to happen and the purple and gold have to explore other alternatives.

One of those alternatives is potentially Julius Randle from the New York Knicks. Before the offseason, it seemed like the Knicks would be willing to trade Randle and another contract to the Lakers for the expiring Westbrook deal simply to reset.

However, now the Knicks are in the race for Donovan Mitchell and the Lakers could slide in as the third team. Utah would get Westbrook’s expiring and a boatload of picks, New York would get Mitchell and the Lakers would get the multi-year contracts the Jazz don’t want as a tanking team, which involves Julius Randle.

Randle had a down year last year and some Lakers fans are appalled by this idea. However, when it comes down to it, LA has multiple reasons to be jumping at a potential Julius Randle trade outside of the benefit of getting rid of Westbrook.

3 reasons why the Lakers should be jumping at a Julius Randle trade:

1. Julius Randle’s contract is not as bad as you think

Yes, Randle has four more years under contract and that would essentially mean the Lakers are committing to him. Meanwhile, at least with Westbrook’s expiring they would flip the page next summer.

While Randle does have a four-year deal and it is not a small deal, it is not a large deal all things considered, either. Randle’s cap hit is only $23.7 million this season and his cap hit never even reaches $30 million.

The NBA salary cap is going to continue to grow, especially with new TV money coming in, and Randle’s deal is going to age gracefully. We see these contracts go higher and higher every summer and having Randle for less than $30 million is not a bad price in the slightest.

Just look at the free agent deals that were signed this summer. Jalen Brunson signed for $26 million a year, Anfernee Simons signed for $25 million a year.

Sure, the Lakers can keep their cap space but if they want to sign a free agent they will just end up overpaying a mid-tier player. That is the market. Might as well acquire Randle because…

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