Lakers trade rumors: Who are the best suitors for Julius Randle?
By Jason Reed
1. Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are very much in a similar boat as the Los Angeles Lakers. Dallas has some great young talent and some established veterans that the young guns can learn from. However, Dallas isn’t necessarily lighting the league up with a 16-34 record. As stubborn as owner Mark Cuban may want to be, it is time to accept the fate and move forward with youth.
They have already started that movement with Dennis Smith Jr, the team’s starting point guard. Smith has arguably been the Mavericks best player, averaging 14.7 points, 4.7 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game.
Aside from him, the Mavericks are in a tricky situation. Harrison Barnes has been good but has not been the superstar the Mavericks wanted him to become after leaving the Golden State Warriors. Seth Curry has been hurt, as has Nerlens Noel and Wesley Matthews has regressed.
Then there is Dirk Nowitzki, the face of the Dallas Mavericks. Although Nowitzki is one of the best power forwards of all-time and revolutionized the game for foreign players, he is not the same Dirk Nowitzki. He is 39 and he likely will retire after next season; despite shooting more efficiently, his points per game is the lowest it has been since his rookie year.
Dallas needs to prepare for life after Dirk, Julius Randle can help with that. The Mavericks can definitely afford Rande. According to Spotrac, they are set to have the fifth-most practical cap space next year.
Several intriguing options exist such as Nerlens Noel or even a salary dump in Josh McRoberts. Regardless, options are available and the Mavericks could use Randle next season.