Fansided

20 things to look forward to this NBA offseason

By Bryan Toporek

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10: Arizona forward Deandre Ayton (13) reacts to a call during the championship game of the mens Pac-12 Tournament between the USC Trojans and the Arizona Wildcats on March 10, 2018, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10: Arizona forward Deandre Ayton (13) reacts to a call during the championship game of the mens Pac-12 Tournament between the USC Trojans and the Arizona Wildcats on March 10, 2018, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 03: Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball against the Utah Jazz in a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 3, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Julius Randle
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 03: Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball against the Utah Jazz in a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 3, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Julius Randle /

13. What will the Lakers do with Julius Randle?

The Los Angeles Lakers may face a time crunch this summer with Julius Randle.

They’ve openly admitted they plan to chase max-caliber free agents such as LeBron James and Paul George, but James in particular isn’t likely to make his decision quickly. That could pose a problem when it comes to Randle, as he could short-circuit the Lakers’ attempts to retain him by signing an offer sheet with another team and putting them on the clock once the July Moratorium lifts on July 6.

After the Lakers extend a qualifying offer to Randle, he’ll have a $12.4 million cap hold, which will complicate their pursuit of two max free agents. If he signs an offer sheet with a starting salary greater than that amount before James and/or George make their respective free-agent decisions, it would all but guarantee the Lakers couldn’t land both of them.

If the Lakers trade Luol Deng without taking back salary in exchange, it’s possible for them to retain Randle while signing two max free agents, as Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus explained in February. Communication between the Lakers and Randle’s representation will thus be critical over the coming weeks to make that hypothetical become a reality.

“We still have no indication of where Julius stands among the Lakers’ priorities, or if he is a priority at all,” Randle’s agent, Aaron Mintz, told Tania Ganguli of the Los Angeles Times in mid-May. “We are looking forward to the marketplace in July, when we will get a clear picture of Julius’ future.”

According to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, multiple league sources expect the Dallas Mavericks to pursue a trio of big men this summer, one of whom is Randle. If James and George don’t decide upon their landing spots quickly, it could force the Lakers into an impossible decision with regard to Randle.

Next: 12. Will the Magic match any offer for Aaron Gordon?

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