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4 NBA players who could be the next Julius Randle in free agency this year

By Corey Rausch

DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 16: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks celebrates with RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks as the Knicks take on the Dallas Mavericks in the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center on April 16, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 16: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks celebrates with RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks as the Knicks take on the Dallas Mavericks in the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center on April 16, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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NBA, Julius Randle (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
NBA, Julius Randle (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

One of the most fun parts of an NBA season is when a player finally takes the leap, and Julius Randle is the example this season of a player going from unrealized potential to All-NBA leader of a playoff team. He has played for three different teams in the Los Angeles Lakers, the New Orleans Pelicans and now the New York Knicks, and has finally grown into the player that many projected him to be when he was drafted seventh overall in the draft.

He is certainly not the only former top recruit to pop off this season. Josh and Frank Jackson have both found something with the Detroit Pistons after being top-five recruits in their high school classes. Kelly Oubre is growing into a role with the Golden State Warriors. Even Kevin Porter Jr. has gotten new life in a limited number of appearances with the Houston Rockets.

Predicting who could be the next Julius Randle may be a tall task, but four former top NBA prospects could be prime targets this offseason.

For the sake of figuring out who will be the next player to leave their first or second team and turn into an All-Star, we will look at four players who were drafted in the first round. They have all shown promise to some degree but could do more with an increased (or just different) opportunity. All four of these players will be available during this free agency period, three of which being restricted free agents. We will go in order of likelihood to take the next step, starting with the unrestricted free agent.

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