The headlining addition to the New Orleans Pelicans this offseason, Julius Randle is in a system that will showcase his skills and allow him to improve.
If one were to imagine an ideal fit for each player in the NBA, it would be nearly impossible to find such a perfect landing spot for Julius Randle. After the Los Angeles Lakers renounced his free agency rights, the New Orleans Pelicans swooped in to land Randle, making him the team’s marquee addition this offseason.
Randle is a unique big in today’s NBA. As a result of his poor shooting, Randle is best at center or alongside another big that can space the floor. However, his lack of size prevents teams from fully buying into small-ball lineups with Randle at the 5, despite the potential such lineups have, especially on the offensive end of the floor.
Randle showcased some serious playmaking abilities last season and he has the capability to bring the ball up the court in transition and wreck havoc on defenses that aren’t set. His ball-handling and passing abilities are extremely underrated and unique for a player of his size, which is where the Pelicans come into play.
New Orleans embraced a fast-paced system last season and once DeMarcus Cousins went down with his Achilles injury, the team moved Anthony Davis to center, added Nikola Mirotic and focused more on getting out in transition and spacing the floor. Adding Randle to the mix provides Alvin Gentry with one of, if not the most diverse and talented frontcourts in the entire league, making the potential combinations something to marvel at.
Gentry will likely invest more into Randle’s development and role this season, allowing him to run free in transition as a ball-handler or bruise down low in the post. The Pelicans’ free-flowing offense will allow Randle to thrive, especially in transition, making the fit one of the more natural in the league.
With that being said, let’s take a look at how Randle’s game and skill-set can grow in his first season with the Pelicans.