NBA Free Agency 2018: Most impactful signings of the summer

7. Julius Randle, New Orleans Pelicans

It might seem odd to put a player whom the Los Angeles Lakers renounced their qualifying offer to this high in these rankings. But he’s here because his impact over the next two years will have a direct impact on the next seismic shift that will affect the league for years to come.

On it’s face, it was odd that there was so little interest in a 23-year old unrestricted free agent who just finished a season in which he was one of only eight qualified players with a usage rate above 25 and a true shooting percentage over 60 (the other seven were All-Stars that have eight MVP awards between them. Randle was also the youngest of the group).

Digging deeper, Randle’s fit in the modern NBA is uncertain, at least when talking about the highest levels of play. He’s a big man who doesn’t stretch the floor, doesn’t protect the rim, and whose defense in space is inconsistent at best. Despite his obvious passing chops, he also has the tendency to get tunnel vision when he has the ball.

So why is he so high? Simple: if the Pelicans continue to maintain wanna-be contender status, it makes it more likely that franchise cornerstone Anthony Davis isn’t going anywhere. If things go south, the Davis trade talks will heat up, and then all hell breaks loose.

How well Randle meshes with the Brow could go a long way in determining which of those two roads is the more likely outcome. Thus, his secondary impact alone gets him this high.