Los Angeles Lakers: Top 3 trade candidates before 2018 deadline

2 of 4

Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images /

Julius Randle, PF

I’m starting this list off with Julius Randle, whose 2017-18 season could end in a number of ways. It largely comes down to what other pieces the Lakers move, and what type of progress the former No. 7 overall pick shows during the first half of the season.

Randle’s situation is a tricky one. On one hand, the Lakers want to keep as many of their young, promising pieces as possible. He’s a capable starting power forward, and has taken significant steps in his development since missing his rookie season due to a broken leg.

More from Los Angeles Lakers

At the same time, retaining him won’t be easy or cheap. He’s headed into a contract year, and is set to be a restricted free agent in 2018. More than likely, there will be some interested parties willing to sign him to sizable offer sheets. The Lakers could match or re-sign him, but it’s going to be an expensive endeavor either way.

If they’re still unsure of his future at that point, maybe it’s best to avoid a big payday for Randle. Instead, they trade him away, potentially as an incentive for another team to take on one of the Lakers’ more expensive contracts (more on that later). One way or another, getting some sort of compensation for him would be ideal.

It’s a tough situation to be in for this Lakers front office. Randle has flashed potential at times, but is limited in some important areas and doesn’t fit the mold of today’s power forward. If they decide they’d rather not deal with figuring out his future, they could opt to trade him away.

Just an FYI: Randle got married this past week, and Nick Young had it covered.

Home/Los Angeles Lakers