NBA Trade Deadline Portfolio 2018: Julius Randle

It feels like Julius Randle has been defined by what he can’t do ever since he entered the national spotlight as a freshman at Kentucky.

“Randle can’t shoot 3s. Randle can’t defend centers. He can’t block shots. He can’t lead a team.”

Can’t, can’t, can’t.

After three years with the Los Angeles Lakers, he’s having to deal with a new version of “Randle can’t” — “Randle can’t be on the Lakers roster next year.”

Randle is in the final year of team control for his contract, and will enter the 2017-18 season as a restricted free agent, but the issue is that the team that drafted him seventh overall in the 2014 NBA Draft no longer has need for his services. They can’t keep him on their team, with a $12.5 million cap hit, if they want to be able to attract two max-salary level free agents in the offseason. They have to find another team that is willing to look at Randle and say, “We can’t go forward without you.”

Randle spent the offseason working out with Amoila Jamil Cesar, a physical trainer that works with other NBA players like DeMarcus Cousins, Kevon Looney, Solomon Hill, and Jeff Withey. Gone was the pudgy player from Kentucky, and in his place was a player whose outer appearance reflected the inner drive he has to be the best he can be.

Randle showed up ready to have the best season of his career, only to lose playing time to Larry Nance Jr., Kyle Kuzma, and Brook Lopez. His commitment to improving his conditioning in the offseason improved his ability to defend, and play more minutes, but the coaching staff decided to keep him coming off the bench as they tried to incorporate new players on the roster.

The writing was on the wall, with Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka eschewing protocol and discussing their plans for the 2018-19 season. The Lakers players quickly realized that in order for the franchise to realize their plans for the future, that they would not be part of that equation. It took about the same amount of time for Randle’s name to surface in trade rumors. It didn’t matter that he is playing some of the best basketball of his life — it seemed like no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t change the mind of those in charge of the franchise.

It would seem that it wouldn’t be too difficult to find a team that would be interested in acquiring Randle. Whichever team acquired the 23-year-old big man would be able to match any offer he received as a restricted free agent, putting them in a strong position to retain him for the next three or four years. At worst they would be acquiring a player that is a nightly double-double threat, a threat to disrupt defenses with his ability to attack off the dribble, score in the pick-and-roll, and get easy looks off of offensive rebounds.

But with about two weeks remaining before the trade deadline, Randle can’t escape the Lakers. Luke Walton can’t keep him out of the starting lineup, and Randle has started every game in January — he’s averaging 15 and 9 a game as they play .500 ball since the calendar turned.

There are a lot of teams that could use Randle, not only for this season but for a second contract as well. The Mavericks could decide to put Randle down low as a scoring option alongside their rookie point guard Dennis Smith. Mavs coach Rick Carlisle has proven to be able to find success with players that will put forward effort on defense and score in the pick-and-roll, and Randle might enjoy playing in his hometown of Dallas.

Next: One trade every team should make at the deadline

The Washington Wizards are another team that could use Randle, especially as they prepare for another playoff run. While they may be looking for another Kentucky big in Cousins, Randle could potentially be an option for them to sign if they miss out on Boogie. Marcin Gortat has one year after this season on his contract, and Ian Mahinma is never going to be the scoring threat that Randle is. He gives John Wall and Bradley Beal a physical rebounder, and a nimble big that can finish on the pick and roll.

While the Lakers can’t see themselves keeping Randle around, it’s time for another team to tell the young big, “Yes we can.”