Lakers Extend Qualifying Offer To Top Young Star Julius Randle

TheSportster

Lakers Extend Qualifying Offer To Top Young Star

By Lorenzo Tanos

Published Jun 29, 2018

The Los Angeles Lakers have extended a qualifying offer to one of their top young stars, Julius Randle, who could be important to the team.

April 10, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) controls the ball against Houston Rockets forward PJ Tucker (4) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

There probably isn’t another NBA team fans are paying more attention to this offseason than the Los Angeles Lakers. After all, this is a team that, if everything goes according to plan (or rumor), could end up with LeBron James, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard forming a “big three” unit that could easily take the team back to the playoffs in 2019. None of those players, however, are natural power forwards like Julius Randle, who the Lakers extended a qualifying offer to earlier this week.

According to ESPN, the offer, which is worth $5.6 million, effectively makes the 23-year-old Randle a restricted free agent. This means that beginning on July 6, 2018, the Lakers would be able to match any offer Randle signs this offseason. And there’s a good chance a lot of teams will show interest, as the young big man averaged 16.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game in the 2017-18 NBA season as he continued to improve in almost every area of the game.

Given the Lakers’ rumored plans to make some big moves in free agency, which may include signing the aforementioned LeBron James and Paul George, it’s not sure yet whether the Lakers will ultimately want to keep Randle in Los Angeles. ESPN speculated that the team might have to trade Randle or renounce his rights if they need more money to make way for two top-tier free agents.

Randle’s 2017-18 NBA season wasn’t perfect, as he initially had to deal with Larry Nance Jr. taking over as the Lakers’ starting power forward. However, head coach Luke Walton was able to make room for Randle in the team’s starting lineup, which resulted in him playing the best basketball of his young career and posting the mostly career-high numbers mentioned above.

While it might sound like good news that the Los Angeles Lakers are trying to keep their prized power forward, it’s also apparent that the team wouldn’t be able to have its cake and eat it too. Some young players may have to be traded if the Lakers are really serious about acquiring James, George, and/or Leonard, so you shouldn't be surprised if Julius Randle, despite the qualifying offer, will be wearing another team's colors in 2018-19.