Los Angeles Lakers: 5 Midseason Takeaways

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January 6, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) controls the ball against Miami Heat forward Luke Babbitt (5) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Julius Randle is stepping up for the Lakers

Power forward Julius Randle is looking good in his third NBA season. He is averaging 13.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game in 29.5 minutes of work in 2016-17.

Randle has 10 double-doubles and two triple-doubles in 35 starts so far. He had 34 double-doubles and one triple-double last season. He’s still learning to play at a consistent rate.

The third-year big man scored 19 points and had 11 assists and 14 rebounds in the team’s 116-102 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Jan. 3. Randle shot 9-for-15 from the field while leading the team in assists for the game.

.@J30_RANDLE gets his 2nd triple-double of '16-17 (19 pts, 14 rbs, 11 asts) in win vs. Grizzlies

WATCH: https://t.co/xEOolNfrpH #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/DZpNBkc0P0
— NBA.com (@NBAcom) January 4, 2017

He is shooting 49.9 percent from the floor on the year, much improved from a season ago. The Lakers just need Randle to stay healthy. He’s already missed five games this season due to a right hand laceration he suffered in practice. He missed the 2014-15 season after breaking his right tibia in the first game of his rookie year.

If Randle can remain healthy and continue to be an offensive focal point, the Lakers could turn him into a superstar in the near future.

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