The evolution of Julius Randle hasn't gone unnoticed by the Los Angeles Lakers front office, especially not past the eyes of general manager Mitch Kupchak.
In his first full season with the team, Randle has displayed his potential to be a great player in this league by being one of the few players in the league to average a double-double. This season, the 6-foot-9 power forward has continued to show his potential while expanding his game to a more versatile playmaker as well as and avid rebounder.
“He was a man amongst boys. He had several games like that. He has the competitive energy that I’d love to see in young players,” Kupchak told Mark Medina of the Orange County Register. “That will get you a long way. He has to continue to grow skill-wise on the court, when to bring it up, when not to bring it up and when to get to the hoop and when to shoot. But with that kind of energy and effort, he’ll be in this league for a long time.”
With similar minutes from the ones he had last season, Randle has improved his scoring average to a career-high 13.4 points while attempting just as many shots — the key difference? — his improved field goal percentage of 50.3 percent from 2015-16's 42.9 percent.
Julius Randle is also averaging a career-high 3.5 assists, which makes him a much more dynamic player on the court.
The 22-year old Texas native will be a staple in the Lakers rotation as this young core grows together under head coach Luke Walton. Los Angeles has flatlined this month due to injuries after an unexpected start to the season, scrapping only two wins after starting December with an eight-game losing streak, ultimately going a devastating 2-14 at the end of the year.
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