Los Angeles Lakers: Why signing and trading Julius Randle is smart

By Jason Reed | Jun 13, 2018

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 09: Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles upcourt during the second half of a game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on January 9, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. It opens the door to bring in a second superstar

The biggest trick the Los Angeles Lakers are going to have to pull off this summer if they want to build an instant contender is to add two max-caliber players without having max money. While the Lakers do have $61 million in practical cap space, it still is not enough to sign two max guys to two deals.

This is important as the Lakers have become heavily favored in the LeBron James sweepstakes. If LeBron is going to come out to the Western Conference, you best believe that he is going to want to bring some firepower with him.

To pull this off, the Lakers are going to have to trade for a star. One option, of course, is Kawhi Leonard. Randle is an interesting piece to throw into a Kawhi Leonard deal so the Lakers can get him at his current $18 million annual salary and extend him using his newly acquired Bird Rights.

The exact same thing can be done with Paul George, who can approach the Thunder with an opportunity to get something out of him rather than him just walk via free agency for nothing.

While Randle is turning into a star in his own right, he is still not on that elite tier where James, Leonard and George currently reside. Thus, the Lakers could look to turn promise into the present and bring in LeBron’s newest superstar teammate.

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