Lakers News: Julius Randle contract stalemate won’t lead to a trade

Julius Randle has been at the head of a lot of the latest Lakers news, but he isn’t going to be sent away from Los Angeles anytime soon.

A trade involving Julius Randle, if it were ever going to happen, would’ve taken place already. The new front office didn’t hesitate on finding a trade partner for D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov, but there’s clearly something they like about Randle, otherwise he wouldn’t still be with the team.

Now with a new physique, Randle has the opportunity he needs to show he can be a fundamental part of the future in LA. The starting lineup has yet to be announced, but to think that he can’t get some solid minutes is foolish.

Through the pre-season, Randle averaged 13 points per game and around seven and a half rebounds. Throw in the neighborhood average of two assists and two steals per night, and alongside Lonzo Ball, like Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma, he can be a breakout player.

While those aren’t the craziest averages in the NBA by any means, those points and rebounds become even more important when you factor in the changes that the Lakers made. Contributions from guys like Kyle Kuzma really do change the way that LA has their needs met by Randle.

For instance, when D’Angelo Russell was in charge of the offense, things were awkward because of locker room and off the court drama. With Lonzo Ball, it seems as though the entire team has undergone a culture change and nobody will benefit from that more than Randle.

What’s worth noting, however, is that he may not be best in the starting lineup moving forward. An additional reason for that is simply because of the way that Kuzma has played thus far, impressing everyone across the league with consistent, well put together performances.

You have to also remember that cap space is the biggest friend to the Lakers in the coming summer. Magic Johnson has not hid any of his intentions to chase a superstar, and the league speaks for itself when it comes to money talking.

Not in every instance, but in the majority.

Instead of looking at the contract dispute as a bad thing or a negative sign for Randle’s future with Los Angeles, it’s more of an opportunity for the whole team to be well put together and ready to contend as soon as next season depending on off-season moves.

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Pending poor performance, that is why nobody should rush to be concerned about the trade status of the forward for the time being. Things could change, but there’s a lot more that has to unfold before it reaches that point.