Lakers: Building the ideal 10-man rotation for the 2018 season

6 – Julius Randle (PF/C)

Before the NBA Trade Deadline, I would have argued that the Lakers need to get rid of Julius Randle until my head fell off. Even after the deadline in our weekly Lakers roundtable, I proceeded to argue that Randle is not a long-term fit for the Los Angeles Lakers.

However, after examining the landscape of the NBA and the change in player contracts, Randle makes a lot more sense. Before I expected Randle to get paid $13-15 million per season, that is just how NBA contracts worked with the growing salary cap.

However, now, that growth has slowed and contracts have returned to a more realistic state. Lou Williams, the best sixth man in the NBA, signed a three-year, $24 million contract. There is no reason the Lakers cannot lock Randle down for three more years for $20-24 million.

Locking Randle down would be huge, as well. Randle has shown the versatility to play both power forward and center and boosts the Lakers’ flexibility by just being there. The Lakers can run Randle at the four, Kuzma at the three and George at the two. They can run Randle at the four, George at the three and a bench player at the two.

The possibilities are endless due to the flexibility on the Lakers’ roster.

Not only is Randle adding insane depth, he is a great player and would be a candidate for Sixth Man of the Year. Randle is averaging 14.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. At his best, Randle is a nightly double-double threat.