NBA Draft Rumors: How far will Julis Randle’s stock drop?

Now that former Kentucky Wildcats’ power forward Julius Randle’s foot injury has come to light (although he and his mother have denied the reports), his draft stock could take a tumble.

How far is still unknown – most believed his eventual destination would be somewhere from five to 10 where a team like the Boston Celtics or Los Angeles Lakers will be selecting.

Jabari Davis of Basketball Insiders takes a look at Randle’s stock and how it impacts the Lakers.

"I sure hope not, but you never know. I’m sure you saw the follow-up where it appeared Randle was rebutting the initial report from Woj/Yahoo, but that could admittedly be a bit of spin. If team doctors examine the foot and determine it will be an issue that can be corrected and dealt with, then I don’t see falling too far from where previously projected. If it ends up being an issue that might cause additional concern, then you never know. Either way, I’m pulling for him. Hate to see these guys start their careers with stuff like this……I just touched on this, but I’ll answer from the Lakers’ perspective for you. If I’m them, and he either declined to workout or be examined by our doctors, then I would not take a flier on him. That isn’t to say I am not in favor of him if healthy (or going to be), but I just don’t know that you take the risk if not fully comfortable with the medical side of it. Hopefully, the report was a bit stronger than the reality, and we’ll be able to see that young man doing what he loves."

Randle is ranked as the draft’s fourth-best prospect according  by Jonathan Givony of Draft Express . Randle, who measured in at 6’9″ and 250 pounds with a wingspan of 7’0″ at the NBA’s Scouting Combine, put up 15.0 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 50.0% from the field and 70.6% from the charity stripe.