NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 potential destinations for Julius Randle

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 11: Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers on the bench in the second half at Staples Center on April 11, 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) *** Local Caption *** Julius Randle /

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MEMPHIS, TN – MARCH 24: Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 24, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. Los Angeles Lakers

Let’s start with the obvious. The Lakers still hold the best hand when it comes to Randle as they can match any offer thrown his way. If their efforts to lure LeBron James and Paul George away from Cleveland and Oklahoma City fail, Randle is all but guaranteed to stay in Los Angeles. He’d be the first #HeGone to turn into a #FutureLaker.

There might be some ill-feelings between Randle and Lakers management, but a max contract would ease the pain.

Should Randle stay in Los Angeles, last year showed that the future is bright around the team. They finished 35-47 last season, but were a respectable 24-25 record with Randle as a starter. That doesn’t even take into account future Hall of Famer Lonzo Ball missing a significant amount of time. Randle is comfortable in Los Angeles and the team took positive steps in 2017-18.

The downside to the Lakers retaining Randle would be, once again, being shunned by a real superstar. After speaking years chasing the top names on the market and coming up short. After doing everything they could to create cap space to prepare for the Summer of 2018. They would be left with the same team they had in 2017-18. Just a year older, a year wiser, and probably a year better. It might not sound great if you’re a Lakers fan, but I promise you the contract won’t be as bad as Luol Deng or Timofey Mozgov.

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