Lakers: The perfect trade for Julius Randle is with Detroit

Trading Julius Randle has been the Lakers’ next move for quite some time now. Finally, Los Angeles may have a suitable trade partner in the Detroit Pistons.

Ah. The Julius Randle saga continues. The seventh overall selection in the 2014 NBA Draft has been involved in heavy trade rumors. With Randle’s long-term future unclear in Los Angeles, the Lakers have reportedly been actively pursuing a trade involving Randle and maybe even Jordan Clarkson.

While trading Jordan Clarkson is an entirely different task, the Lakers may finally have the perfect trade suitors for Julius Randle. The team? The Detroit Pistons.

The contending Detroit Pistons are the best candidates to house Julius Randle for this season and for seasons to come. Detroit playing surprisingly well and may be just one solid piece away from becoming legit contenders out of the Eastern Conference.

Thus, trade rumors have emerged. According to Vincent Ellis of the Detroit Free Press — with reference to Adrian Wojnarowski — rookie Luke Kennard is drawing serious trade interest from several teams. That is where the Los Angeles Lakers come in, acquire Kennard and give the Pistons their best shot at contending this season.

Therefore, what exactly would a trade between the two sides look like?

While this is no blockbuster, this would be a great move by Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka. Los Angeles would be able to utilize Randle, someone they are likely losing after the season, for someone who fills a greater need in the future.

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The Lakers do not need Randle with both Kyle Kuzma and Larry Nance Jr. thriving. While he did play good as a small-ball center when Brook Lopez was out, Randle simply does not fit in the Lakers roster. With him walking away, and the playoffs out of reach, getting something for him is logical.

And while this move may not make them better right now, it gives them a shooting guard to bank on in the future. The Pistons selected Kennard with the 12th overall selection in last year’s draft. In rookie season, Kennard is averaging 6.4 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 17.3 minutes per game.

Not the most amazing stat line but the potential around Kennard is enormous. In his last year at Duke, Kennard averaged 19.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Kennard has a pretty consistent three-ball and jump shot that will allow him to succeed at the NBA level.

In return for Kennard, the Pistons are getting better now as well as preserving the future. Julius Randle could create a hybrid between the three and the four alongside Tobias Harris. Meanwhile, Josh Hart fills Kennard’s place with good defense that could mold him into a good NBA player.

Next: Jordan Clarkson deals with every Western Conference team

Acquiring Randle instantly shoots the Pistons stock higher and acquiring Kennard gives the Lakers a succession plan for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. For both sides, this deal makes a lot of sense.