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25-under-25: The best of the rest

By Philip Rossman-Reich

MILWAUKEE, WI - FEBRUARY 29: Jabari Parker #12 drives to the basket and throws the ball off the backboard for Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the game against the Houston Rockets on February 29, 2016 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - FEBRUARY 29: Jabari Parker #12 drives to the basket and throws the ball off the backboard for Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the game against the Houston Rockets on February 29, 2016 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Julius Randle, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs
SAN ANTONIO,TX – JANUARY 12: Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers fights Patty Mills #24 of the San Antonio Spurs for rebound position at AT&T Center on January 12, 2017 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /

30. Julius Randle, Los Angeles Lakers

Julius Randle’s career got off to a false start when he broke his leg in his first career game for the Los Angeles Lakers. Last year, Randle’s official third year but just his second playing, showed exactly what Randle could do.

He averaged 13.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game and he showed a versatility that some did not think he could reach.

Randle is not a stretch-4. He profiles more as a traditional power forward. That is a skill set that does not seem as valuable in the modern NBA. Yet Randle seemed to find a way to make it work. He became more versatile, mobile and athletic while still maintaining the brute strength and athleticism that made him a high pick in 2014.

And this summer Randle has been showing of a much more ripped physique, seemingly shedding pounds to take even more advantage of his athleticism. It is not quite clear what kind of player Randle will return as.

But considering all he could do last year in his first year fully healthy in the league, it seems likely that will only add to his game and enable him to be a big contributor to this young Lakers team.

Randle simply has not had enough time on the court to see what he can really do. That might change this year as he continues to prove there are different kinds of power forwards in this league.

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