New Orleans Pelicans big man Julius Randle has fired back at Portland Trail Blazers center Enes Kanter after Kanter said Zion Williamson is “Julius Randle with hops.”

Randle recalls scoring 45 points the last time Kanter guarded him this past season. Randle put up 45 points on March 15 against the Blazers.

This is why the NBA is the best league. The offseason is in full swing, free agency is about to start, and yet pettiness is dominating the headlines.

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Randle probably wasn't expecting Kanter to say those comments. The Pelicans forward, who becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason, will clearly have his next matchup against Kanter circled on his calendar.

This past season for the Pelicans, Randle averaged 21.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists while shooting 52.4 percent from the field, 34.4 percent from beyond the arc and 73.1 percent from the free-throw line. Those are really good numbers. The Pelicans would gladly take that type of stat line from Williamson during his rookie season.

It looks like Kanter is just confused why Zion is getting hyped up to be the next LeBron James. Maybe he didn't mean any ill will toward Randle. Regardless, the pettiness is appreciated by social media and NBA fans.

It's something to keep the news cycle going before free agency starts on Sunday.