Lakers: Isaiah Thomas will never be re-signed because of Julius Randle

The Julius Randle dilemma:

The Los Angeles Lakers have one of the biggest dilemmas in the NBA this off-season. And it all stems from former seventh overall pick Julius Randle.

Before the season began, everyone expected Randle to be packaged in some type of deal to free contract space. Although Randle was set to be a free agent, he is set to be a restricted free agent. Any team that traded for him could simply match any other offer sheet a team throws his way.

When the trades became less likely it seemed more likely that the Lakers would just let Randle walk. He was a free agent and was likely going to get a payday elsewhere. With two superstars potentially in tow and Kyle Kuzma, Randle was left on the outside looking in.

However, three things changed the entire situation around Randle; causing this dilemma to begin with. Two of them are directly related to Randle, one has lasting implications.

• The Lakers trading Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr.

Larry Nance Jr was thrown into the trade for Isaiah Thomas to get cap space instead of Julius Randle. Now, the Lakers would be thin at forward if Randle did decide to walk with Nance out of the picture. LA obviously showed some form of commitment to Randle here, perhaps signaling their intentions months in advance.

Plus, the Lakers opened up a good amount of cap space with this deal and will have an estimated $61 million in cap space. With Bird Rights on Randle, it already seems like a no-brainer.

• Julius Randle is HOT

Yeah, you think? Since taking on an increased role at center Julius Randle has been tearing it up on a nightly basis, proving he is worth that payday this off-season.

Randle has raised his season averages to 15.2 points and 7.5 rebounds. He is averaging 20.4 points since the start of February. Randle’s play has led the Lakers during the team’s hot streak and has made it very hard for LA to say no.

• Lou Williams’ extension set the bar

Three years ago NBA teams were handing out max contracts like they were candy. Mike Conley, who never made an all-star team, was at one point the highest paid player in basketball. Three years ago, on the open market, Randle would be worth $20-25 million.

However, Lou Williams’ extension with the Clippers set the new precedent in the NBA. Williams should have been an all-star this year and is the best sixth-man in the NBA. The Clippers are only committing to $24 million over three years.

The Lakers can easily get away with $27-30 million over three years for Randle, backloading the contract on the last season when cap space opens up in Luol Deng. Before the season, even before the breakout, that price point was inconceivable.