Even though he only signed a two-year deal, Julius Randle views the New Orleans Pelicans as the place he wants to be long term.
After the Los Angeles Lakers renounced the free agent rights to Randle in July, the power forward signed a two-year, $18 million deal with the Pelicans. The second year of his contract with the Pelicans is a player option, so Randle can become an unrestricted free agent again in 2019 if he declines the option.
The 23-year-old says New Orleans is the perfect situation for him.
Julius Randle reiterates that he wants his move to New Orleans to be a "long-term thing" and he says it's "a perfect situation for a basketball player"
— Will Guillory (@WillGuillory) September 24, 2018
In 82 regular season games with the Lakers last year, Julius Randle averaged 16.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while shooting 55.8 percent from the field, 22.2 percent from 3-point distance, and 71.8 percent from the free-throw line. Randle reportedly asked to be renounced by the Lakers once it became clear his role could dramatically change this season and the team wasn’t interested in making a long-term commitment to him.
The Lakers signed LeBron James to a four-year deal and also added frontcourt depth by agreeing to a contract with JaVale McGee.
Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis played a big role in recruiting Randle to New Orleans. Both players played their college ball at The University of Kentucky and are close friends off the court. Randle will take over as Davis’ new partner in crime after DeMarcus Cousins’ departure.
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