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Lakers Rumors: Seven things to expect during the 2017-18 season

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 23: Magic Johnson, president of basketball operations of the Los Angeles Lakers, general manager Rob Pelinka and draft pick Lonzo Ball talk to the media during a press conference on June 23, 2017 at the team training faculity in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 23: Magic Johnson, president of basketball operations of the Los Angeles Lakers, general manager Rob Pelinka and draft pick Lonzo Ball talk to the media during a press conference on June 23, 2017 at the team training faculity in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 20: (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) – Lakers Rumors
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 20: (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) – Lakers Rumors /

Julius Randle will be traded

Everybody said that D’Angelo Russell would be traded, and as much as the fans wanted to call out every analyst that mentioned it, it eventually happened. Now, the city of LA has all but turned their back on Russell, declaring that he was a bust and that it was a great thing that the Lakers let him go when they did.

Now, hopefully, the same kind of backlash does not surround Julius Randle as well, as he has played pretty well for the Lakers in his two full seasons. Yet still, all signs seem to be pointing to the young forward finding a new home.

If the Lakers are going to go all in on freeing up cap space Randle becomes the viable trade option for the Lakers this season. Sure, LA could deal Clarkson for his young and free up his $11.5 million salary, but then they again would be thin at guard. If anything, Clarkson would get dealt after the Lakers knew they were getting a star, not this season like Randle.

The only way this deal happens is if the Lakers package Luol Deng and his massive contract with Randle. There are some options on the trade market for this package, some options that make a lot of sense in LA’s plan.

Let’s say the Lakers bring in an expiring contract much like Lopez. It would likely sit around the 18-20 million mark, now giving the Lakers just under $60 million in cap space heading into next offseason.

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