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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 Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
NBA, Julius Randle (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /

Candidate No. 1 to be the next Julius Randle in NBA free agency: Trey Lyles

Trey Lyles is looking to join his fourth team already, entering the free-agent market after two seasons each with the Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs. Like Randle, Lyles was a member of a loaded University of Kentucky Wildcats team. Lyles played alongside Devin Booker, Karl-Anthony Town and Willie Cauley-Stein for a team that made it all the way to the Final Four. Listed as the sixth-best recruit in high school by ESPN and top 15 by all reputable sites, the potential was clear.

So far it just has not happened. He played the most minutes per game of his career last season at 20.2. Given the lack of overall production, why is he on this list? Lyles simply feels like the kind of prospect who needs the right situation to step in and produce. Over two seasons in San Antonio, he hit 38.0 percent of his 3-point attempts and in Denver, he posted per-36 minute averages of 18.2 points and 8.5 rebounds.

All signs point to Lyles being more in the vein of one of the more aforementioned Jackson’s than his fellow former Wildcat but that does not change that teams should take a look at him. If he is put in the right role Trey Lyles should be able to contribute off the bench in a meaningful way.

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