Julius Randle: Can He Play Both Forward Spots?

Injury robbed the Los Angeles Lakers a look at Julius Randle in his first season, but the future still seems bright for the former Kentucky Wildcat. The team will definitely need his athleticism and post presence, along with his versatility. In a league where teams are geared toward playing stretch forwards that can operate from the high post, Randle showed several things in Summer League and preseason.

Whether it was his dribbling or his vision, reminiscent of Lamar Odom, Randle’s package of skills are going to add a nice wrinkle to their offense. Combine this with their other budding rookie, Jordan Clarkson, and a potential top-five draft pick, the Lakers are playing with house money.

Randle may not be a Hall of Famer, but the level of success he can reach should be that of an All-Star. At Kentucky, he was a bruiser in the paint, showing lots of polish for a younger player. The small sample sizes he’s provided in his few appearances against NBA teams displayed much of the same.

He’s comfortable with his back to the basket, using his strength to get high percentage shots. As touched on, he can take a rebound coast-to-coast for a finish or a pass. In some spurts, he even extends his shooting to the midrange.

With a combo of both skills, the Lakers are contemplating using him at both forward spots. The team lacks major contributions from the small forward position, and it seems Randle could offer some resistance with his talent.

It’s evident why the team may pursue this option. Randle, in some ways, fits the mold of a small forward with his size and skillset. Many pundits have always talked about Randle’s lack of prototypical size at power forward (6’9″), but he is definitely on par with most NBA small forwards.

Aside from just having the skill and size, the biggest concern with Randle as a small forward is speed and length. Athleticism could make up for what he lacks in his wingspan, and he moves extremely well for his size. Could he keep up with Kevin Durant or LeBron James on the perimeter? Time will only tell once the Lakers make the decision.

Randle has certainly started to make himself open to different facets of positioning. Despite his injury and inactivity, Randle has done a great job studying the game and staying in shape. The added weight loss could help his quickness on the perimeter and in the post. LakerNation reporter Corey Hansford touched on Randle’s progress:

"While Randle has only recently been able to get back on the court, he has used this season to become a real student of the game. Mitch Kupchak would exchange e-mails with Randle about the team’s games during the season and have Randle study the tapes. Randle has also gotten into better shape, looking much slimmer in recent videos of him working out."

As Jalen Rose says, positions were created for a novice to follow the game. With that said, there should be no problem with Randle playing at both forward spots. This is a new NBA where the offense is initiated through big men extending outside the three-point line. The one thing that Randle has done is shown his willingness to learn and the skills that help. Los Angeles will have some good options, and the mere thought is a silver lining in their gray cloud of roster questions.

Next: Stephen Curry: Top 10 Moments From His MVP Season

More from Hoops Habit

• 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
• Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
• Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
• Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
• NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers