Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 potential destinations for Julius Randle

By Jeremy Lambert

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
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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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 06: Tyson Chandler #4 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after a dunk over Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half of the game at Staples Center on February 6, 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 Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 06: Tyson Chandler #4 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after a dunk over Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half of the game at Staples Center on February 6, 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 Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

3. Phoenix Suns

The Suns are building something. You’ve probably heard that before. But this time, it’s time. Devin Booker, Josh Jackson, DeAndre Ayton, Julius Randle. That’s a solid core for years to come. If Brandon Knight comes back and gives them anything at point guard, they could be good enough to not finish last in offense and defense.

The issue for the Suns is that…they’re not very good. Randle has stated that if he would like to sign with a team where he can “continue to grow and compete.”

As long as he’s cool with competing to stay out of the 15th spot, then he can compete in Phoenix. He’ll also have to be cool with letting Booker take all the shots. His assist numbers should grow as a result. Maybe that’s not the growth he’s hoping for, but he’s already got the scoring and rebounding down.

The Suns will have cap space this offseason and they have no chance, or disillusions, of landing a big name free agent. Stealing a young free agent from a team on a similar timeline put them in a position to be better than the Lakers next season.

And that’s why the Lakers must be assured LeBron, George, or both or they must re-sign Randle. They can’t afford to miss on the big names and lose their starting power forward to Phoenix. They would be *gasp* worse than Phoenix. I know Lakers fans think they’ve had it tough over the last couple of years. They’ve even finished below Phoenix in the last three seasons. But once you’ve surpassed the Suns, you don’t want to fall behind them again.

They could be regulated to the G-League if that happens.

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