The Los Angeles Lakers suffered through a terrible 27-55 season that was filled with injuries.
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The Lakers always make the postseason so this was obviously a huge disappointment. However, it isn’t all bad. The Lakers received the seventh-overall pick in last season’s draft and used it to select former Kentucky Wildcats’ power forward Julius Randle. Randle was once viewed as a can’t miss top three prospect but questions about his injury, defense and arm length caused him to take a little bit of a slide.
Kupchak told Mike Trudell of Lakers.com that if Randle produces he will earn playing time.
In many situations, Randle would probably quickly earn a starting job and although the Lakers lost Pau Gasol to the Chicago Bulls, they re-signed Jordan Hill, signed Ed Davis and won the claim on Carlos Boozer after the Bulls used the amnesty clause to waive him. That’s a crowded front court.
Randle was ranked as the draft’s fourth-best prospect according by Jonathan Givony of Draft Express. He measured in at 6’9″ and 250 pounds with a wingspan of 7’0″ at the NBA’s Scouting Combine. Last season, he 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.
Be sure to check FanSided’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league as we get you ready for the start of the 2014-2015 season.
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