Did Julius Randle drop a hint he wants to leave the Lakers?

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 08: Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers complains to referee Matt Boland #18 after being called for a foul in the first half at Staples Center on April 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. 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 John McCoy/Getty Images) /

Julius Randle says he wants to play for a playoff contender next season. Is that his way of saying he’s looking to leave the Lakers?

The Los Angeles Lakers face one of the most difficult free agency decisions of the summer with big man Julius Randle. The 23-year-old enjoyed a career year in the last season of his rookie deal. He was a huge help to the Lakers frontcourt, but re-signing him would cut into the Lakers’ precious cap space.

Much of the conversation about Randle to date has centered around whether or not the Lakers want him back. The question of whether or not he wants to continue his career in Los Angeles has been largely ignored.

As it turns out, it’s a distinct possibility that Randle wants to take his talents elsewhere. He told reporters at the NBA Draft Combine that his top priority for next season is playing for a team who can compete for a spot in the playoffs. That means his timeline might not match up with the Lakers plan if they’re unable to acquire a superstar this summer.

Randle will be an interesting possibility for teams looking for a dynamic scorer to bolster their frontcourt. He averaged a career high 16.1 points per game last season and also posted an impressive PER of 19.9. It’s fair to say he picked the right time to have his best season. His stock has never been higher heading into free agency.

Randle isn’t a perfect player though. He can’t stretch the floor with his perimeter shot and his lack of height and athleticism means he isn’t a solid rim protector. In some ways, Randle is the very antithesis of where the NBA is headed.

That doesn’t mean he can’t be an effective player in the right situation. Randle’s post skills give him the ability to roast bigs who can’t handle his bulk on the block. He also possesses an array of post moves that allow him to punish smaller defenders if they’re switched on to guard him in the post.

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The real question for Randle will be what team wants to really pay him this summer. He may be a real victim of the lack of cap space around the league. It’s hard to imagine him getting an offer anywhere north of the mid level exception. That, combined with the fact that the Lakers will have the right to match any offer in restricted free agency makes him a good bet to stay in LA. That might not be what Randle wants, but it may be the outcome he’s forced to accept this summer.

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