Julius Randle has set himself up for a big payday this season, with the only question being if he will stay with the Los Angeles Lakers or move on to another team that is willing to compensate him for his vast improvement.
The answer isn't as simple, as his future will likely depend on how successful the Lakers are getting their two primary offseason targets in LeBron James and Paul George, according to Bill Oram of The Orange County Register.
The second factor would be just how much money another team is willing to offer for his services, as a hefty offer can likely keep the Lakers from matching and turn to looking for alternative options.
Randle has earned his chance to make himself into one of the best big men available in 2018, en route to playing all 82 games this season and putting to rest any remnant of a question of his durability after sustaining a horrific freak injury during his very first NBA game.
“That’s a goal of mine,” Randle said, adding he wants to prove it to himself as well as his teammates. “I want to be out there competing with them every night, and as long as coach (Luke Walton) lets me go, I’m going to be fine. I’m going to be out there.”
Randle's year started with being mired on the bench behind Larry Nance Jr. and rookie Kyle Kuzma, but the 6-foot-9 forward has persevered through it all, putting up career-highs in points (16.3) and field goal percentage (55.7 percent), along with 8.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.
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