While the Lakers have had a busy start to free agency, they have yet to extend a contract offer to Julius Randle, sources tell Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link). That may change soon, however.
According to Charania, Randle’s representatives are expected to speak with the Lakers on Monday, and the big man’s camp is hopeful about receiving an offer from the team. The restricted free agent is excited about LeBron James‘ impending arrival in Los Angeles, Charania adds.
In addition to securing a commitment from James, the Lakers have also agreed to deals with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, JaVale McGee, and Lance Stephenson. As we detailed this morning, the terms of those agreements suggest that the Lakers will retain their cap hold for Randle, which allows the club to go over the cap to re-sign him.
While it’s still possible that the Lakers will renounce Randle or that he’ll sign an offer sheet with another team, it makes sense for the two sides to negotiate directly as long as he remains a restricted free agent to see if they can find common ground. As Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer (Twitter link), it will be interesting to see if Randle is willing to consider a big-money, one-year deal that would allow the Lakers to maximize their 2019 flexibility.
Randle, who ranked eighth on our list of 2018’s top 50 free agents, enjoyed the best season of his four-year NBA career in 2017/18, finishing the year strong after entering the starting lineup in late December. The 23-year-old averaged 18.6 PPG, 3.1 APG, and a .560 FG% in his 49 starts.
This meeting is either to let him know he is being renounced, or to ask him to sign a 1 year deal
Randle isn’t a 3 point shooter, but not many power forwards are. He was a top 5 high school all American. He’s not super athletic, but is a banger. If the Lakers let him go, I wish the Pacers would go after him. He’s an upgrade over Thaddeus Young.
Young Zach Randolph needs to stay with the Lakers!
Randle has to be option C, behind Boogie and Leonard. Boogie fills a need, and Leonard puts them in a better chance to win now and is a superstar.
If they can sign and trade Randle, and then move like Zubac/Hart and whatever picks for Kawhi, that’s the ideal outcome for LA, but I’m sure Philly would top that.
Can I ask why he is option C? His numbers are better than Leonard’s. Lakers should keep Randle.
I think he ends up in Brooklyn
Sign and trade him to the Spurs along with Ingram,Hart, and some picks.
probably the best deal that the Spurs would be likely to see at this point. Knowing the Lakers, they’re holding everything up because the Spurs won’t take that no good, very bad Luol Deng contract.
If that’s the case just stretch that contract already. If they are letting that hold up then getting Kawhi I’d be an upset Lakers fan lol. I agree that they should sign and trade Randle along with Hart, Ingram and a couple picks for Kawhi if they’ll accept that offer. Think it’s a good deal for both teams.
Kuzma is more expendable than ingram. Ingram is 2/3 years young and put up similat numbers to kuzma with better defense. Kuzma is about as good as he can get, you cant teach length. We will look stupid if ingram is the next greek freak. Kuzma is the one that goes.
Why are we so eager to trade our talent like Ingram and Randle for Leonard. Both of those guys had same or better stats last season than Leonard.
Because Lebron is there and he’s trying to win multiple rings over the next 4 years. Kawhi and Lebron equals at least 2 rings over the next 4 years.
Still think James can play with Randle and Ingram.
Kawhi is a top 3-4 player in the NBA when healthy…that being said, it’s a moot point b/c that trade isnt happening
Yahoo is saying Randle doesn’t want to return to LA. Also says LeBron went to LA for business reasons, not basketball.
Who cares what Yahoo says… SMH. I keep saying why does everyone keep on & on that Boston, Philly or Lakers have to break their young cores of great players for Kawhi, cannot see/understand it, he ain’t that good, he is a quitter & is pretty unhealthy, his career average over 7 years is playing 58 RS games per year… if I am the Lakers Hart & some picks is the very very top I give for him, same for Boston & Philly, some not main subs & picks, San Antonio have no leverage or saying he is gonna go this year or next, for the good of the Spurs have to be this year, so they require only a small payment of scraps for him.