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2014 NBA Redraft: A tale of two big men and two missed picks

By Corey Rausch

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 10: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers guards Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on December 10, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Nuggets 97-92, NBA MVP Ladder: Top 5 MVP candidates at the All-Star break. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 10: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers guards Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on December 10, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Nuggets 97-92, NBA MVP Ladder: Top 5 MVP candidates at the All-Star break. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) /

#7 Pick: Julius Randle (Originally: Julius Randle)

The Lakers nailed this pick and there is no reason to change it. Randle has been a consistent scorer and rebounder since coming into the league and if the coaching/front office situation had stabilized earlier, it would have been much easier to see him succeeding in LA long-term.

Randle breaking his leg in his first game of the rookie season did not help matters either, but the talent is undeniable. Throwing out the 14 minutes of his rookie season, Randle has never averaged less than 11.3 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.

Durability is also essential, especially given the type of game that Randle plays. Starting in year two, Randle has missed a total of 20 games, including two seasons playing over 80 games.

The defensive end is still his biggest hole, but at least some of that can be chalked up to his situation. The mid-2010 Lakers were a mess from a cultural standpoint. Someone like Randle, who had these deficiencies coming in, has yet to land somewhere that can help him improve in this area.

If Randle is ever able to land in a spot that compliments him well while holding him accountable. he is a winning player. He is an aggressive scorer and rebounder and compliments his rosters well. The Lakers got a lot wrong during that time, but they got this pick right.

With the eighth pick in the 2014 NBA Redraft, the Sacramento Kings select…

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