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

Weaknesses

In similar fashion to him improving the positive aspects of his game, Julius Randle’s weaknesses of 3-point shooting and rim protection carried over to this season. These two skills are arguably the most coveted skill-sets when looking for a big in the modern NBA, and will determine how dominant of a level Randle will reach in his career.

Randle has never been an outside shooter, taking 0.4, 0.9 and 0.5 3-point shots per game in his three full seasons in the NBA. He has already proven to be a productive player without a consistent jumper, but if he can improve his range beyond the 3-point line, he maximizes space around him for teammates and becomes a frightening player that could beat defenders from all levels of the floor.

The other area in his game that needs improvement is with rim protection. I don’t consider blocks to be the lone indicator in determining rim protection, but averaging 0.5 blocks per game is not going to cut it if he wants to thrive in his small-ball 5 role. He’s decent at altering shots and is better equipped hounding opponents on the perimeter, but being a force on the inside defensively remains a question mark moving forward.