Sacramento Kings: Julius Randle would be an intriguing free agency target

Julius Randle would be an interesting fit for the Sacramento Kings to target this coming offseason in free agency.

The Sacramento Kings have been stuck in rebuilding mode for quite a few years now and the fans cannot wait for their team to get back into playoff contention. In order to do so, the Kings will need to continue building their roster the right way and bringing in more young talent to mesh with their current core.

While building through the draft has worked well for the Kings thus far, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them dip into free agency this offseason to search for a boost to their rebuilding phase.

One player that would make for an intriguing free agency target is Julius Randle, who the Los Angeles Lakers have been rumored to be moving on from following this season.

Randle has been having a solid season for the Lakers this season, averaging 15.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. He has shot 56.5 percent from the field overall and has become a “jack of all trades” for the Lakers. Some have even started comparing Randle’s impact on a game to that of Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green.

Sacramento could use an improved frontcourt, which is why Marvin Bagley III has been brought up as a solid draft target. Randle is just 23 years of age and finally appears to be playing with confidence and is coming into his own. L.A. might consider bringing him back as a restricted free agent, but in order to clear space for two max contracts, they will likely have to let him walk. Not extending him a qualifying offer and making him an unrestricted free agent would do just that.

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At this point in time, the Kings have a young core consisting of Buddy Hield, De’Aaron Fox, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Justin Jackson, Skal Labissiere and Willie Cauley-Stein. Labissierre is just 21 years old and some think he could take over the power forward role in the future, but Randle could be a much better starting option for the foreseeable future with Skal backing him up.

Bringing in a player like Randle who produces in multiple facets of the game would be a wise decision for the Kings. Randle has the ability to score inside and from the mid-range, while also playing top-notch defense, rebounding the ball well and becoming an increasingly good playmaker for his teammates.

Perhaps the Kings could pair Bagley III and Randle in a frontcourt together. Zach Randolph doesn’t seem likely to remain in Sacramento after his contract is up in 2019 and neither Cauley-Stein nor Labissierre are players that the Kings should bank on to be starters if they want to get back into the playoffs in the near future.

Taking a look closer at the month of March, Randle has taken his game to even bigger heights. He has averaged 23.3 points per game to go along with 9.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists. Those numbers have come with an increased role and increased confidence from his coaching staff.

That isn’t to say that Randle could average those numbers throughout an entire season, but he certainly is showing more of what he is capable of.

Expect to see the Kings be more aggressive this offseason as they search for more talent to join their roster. Randle may not end up being a target, but he should be in consideration.

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The version of Randle that has been playing the last month in L.A. would be an excellent fit in Sacramento and could be exactly what they need at the power forward position.