Los Angeles Lakers don’t expect Julius Randle to need surgery, will play in summer league
The health of former Kentucky power forward Julius Randle was one of the key plot lines in the weeks leading up to the NBA Draft as the 6-9, 250-pound was reported to require foot surgery to correct an injury that didn’t heal properly. After the Los Angeles Lakers spent the No. 7 overall pick on him and put him through a battery of medical exams, they don’t anticipate surgery for their top rookie.
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“Right now, based on his performance and his play last year through a full schedule,” Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said, “we don’t expect anything different to come up.”
The Lakers will have full confirmation later this week, according to Mark Medina of Inside the Lakers, as Randle is scheduled to fly to Indianapolis on Tuesday to visit another doctor after undergoing a physical on Monday and consultation on his right foot.
Randle had a pin incorrectly placed after he broke his right foot in high school, but wasn’t limited in his lone season with the Wildcats when he played in all 40 games en route to playing in the National Championship Game against the Connecticut Huskies.
Randle averaged 15 points per game and 10.4 rebounds as a freshman last season and had 24 double-doubles for the national runners-up.
He anticipated playing for the Lakers in their summer league which tips off on July 11 and runs through the 21st.
With Pau Gasol entering free agency, Randle should play a large role as a rookie and earn a starting job as the team’s power forward.