Los Angeles Lakers: 3 players who already appear expendable in 2017-18
Julius Randle
Through the first two games, it looked like the Lakers wanted nothing to do with Julius Randle. A year after serving as the starting power forward, the former first round pick was given only 15 minutes per outing. What he did with those 15 minutes wasn’t anything special.
Then Los Angeles’ third game rolled around, and things seemed to get better for Randle.
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He logged 24 minutes against the New Orleans Pelicans, nine minutes more than starter Larry Nance Jr. The Lakers seemed to have deployed him to counteract the strength, athleticism and tenacity of DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis. While it worked to an extent, Randle really wasn’t all that successful.
In those 24 minutes, the backup power forward managed 11 points, two rebounds, two blocks and two turnovers. He was solid offensively during his large chunk of minutes in the fourth quarter, but struggled to keep Cousins in check. He wrestled with him down low, but was forced into too many fouls and allowed the Pelicans’ big man to get the best of him.
Just check Randle’s +2 plus/minus if you’re not convinced. At least a handful of his offensive opportunities were more a result of great passing by his teammates instead of his own work.
On top of that, the Lakers clearly seem interested in seeing what Larry Nance Jr. can do in a starting role. They also need to get Kyle Kuzma more minutes, and want to do so by playing him at the 4. There simply aren’t enough minutes to go around, which could hurt the 2018 restricted free agent Los Angeles likely isn’t interested in paying big bucks to retain.
Next: Realistic predictions for Lakers' 2017-18 season
Randle may have a role, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be expendable. He’s already been demoted to the bench — what’s to keep Magic from taking it one step further? The Lakers are likely going to need a trade chip to unload Deng, and the former No. 7 overall pick may just be it.