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Julius Randle has brought his coming out games to the forefront at the right time, blossoming into the athletic, dynamic power forward the Los Angeles Lakers hoped to make out of him on draft night in 2014. Though it could be too late for the fourth-year man out of Kentucky.
The Lakers have put in place an ambitious plan to carve out $70 million in cap space for two max-level superstars to join their young core summer, likely putting the hopes of an extension in ashes for Randle.
According to ESPN Insider Bobby Marks, the 6-foot-9 forward could garner from $12-14 million in annual salary, likely fetching up to $56 million over a four-year contract from teams other than the Lakers.
Among those interested in the cap space available are the Dallas Mavericks, the Brooklyn Nets, the Atlanta Hawks, and the Sacramento Kings.
Randle has battled his way from an unfortunate start to the regular season, going from a two-year starter to a bench player — eventually regaining his rightful starting spot at the end of 2017 along with his minutes allocation after the trade of fellow big man Larry Nance Jr. to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Dallas native has averaged 18.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, and has shot a blistering 57 percent from the floor since taking back his starting spot, which has turned into a career season.
Perhaps what's most attractive about Randle is his sustainability, no longer being a shooting star, but a red giant that can shine steadily.
“There's so much improvement,” said assistant coach Jesse Mermuys, who works closely with Randle. “Last year was like, grand slam and then strike out, grand slam, strike out. And now it is way more steady.”
How steady, you ask? Randle has shot 50 percent or better in every game but one since the start of February. His last three games have been a dream, totaling 84 points on 33-of-45 from the field (73.3 percent), posting a double-double in each of them.
While these four teams have the cap space as is, if Randle continues in this mammoth tear, there will surely be more teams willing to clear space to add him to their roster this offseason. It is safe to say that he has played himself into a hefty payday.
