Lakers Rumors: Four teams that could compete for Julius Randle
By Jason Reed
Julius Randle potential landing spot: Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are probably the biggest competition for the Los Angeles Lakers in re-signing Julius Randle. Although the Lakers are in a much better state to contend in the very near future, the Mavericks can offer something the Lakers can’t; hometown advantage.
Randle was born in Dallas, Texas and grew up in the Lone Star State. His high school, Prestonwood Christian Academy, was in Plano, Texas; which is 20 miles outside of Dallas.
The Mavericks are already interested in Julius Randle as well. Around the NBA Trade Deadline, reports surfaced that the Mavericks were keeping an eye on a trade for Randle. That trade would have given Dallas Bird Rights over Randle, something they could have executed in order to re-sign him to a big deal.
The Lakers do have more salary cap space than the Mavericks, but Dallas still has enough to offer Randle a deal in the $15-20 million ballpark. If that is the case, the Lakers are going to have a decision to make; match the offer and keep Randle in LA or let him walk to his hometown.
While Randle could give the Lakers a discount, it is hard to see him passing on his hometown team for less money in Los Angeles; especially after already failing to agree to a contract extension.
Realistically, if the Mavericks offer Randle a contract, it will be solely up to the Lakers whether or not he stays.