Los Angeles Lakers: 2017-18 player grades for Julius Randle

With the offseason underway for the Los Angeles Lakers, let’s examine Julius Randle’s 2017-18 regular season, one that was his best in his short career.

If there were a player on the Los Angeles Lakers that seemed expendable and available via trade heading into the season, Julius Randle would’ve be the first name to come to mind. Randle underwhelmed in his first couple years in the NBA and will be a restricted free agent this offseason after he and the Lakers failed to agree on an extension, making him a prime trade candidate to clear cap space.

This outside noise can weigh on a younger player in a negative way, but Randle accepted the challenge to prove his worth and came into the season with a vastly improved physique. This leaner version of Randle impressed during training camp, and carried this play into the regular season as he led the Lakers in points and rebounds while appearing in all 82 games.

The 23-year-old forward averaged 16.1 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 26.7 minutes per game. He started the season as a strong sixth man off the bench, but found himself in the starting lineup on 49 occasions as injuries piled up across the Lakers’ roster.

This was a great season individually for Julius Randle, one that sets him up for a solid payday this offseason. Let’s highlight the positives and negatives of his 2017-18 campaign.