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Los Angeles Lakers: Constructing the perfect offseason

By Jason Reed

EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 26: President of basketball operations Magic Johnson answers question from the media during a press conference to introduce the team's 2018 NBA draft picks at the UCLA Health Training Center on June 26, 2018 in El Segundo, California. Moritz Wagner was chosen with the 25th overall pick and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk with the 47th pick. 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 Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 26: President of basketball operations Magic Johnson answers question from the media during a press conference to introduce the team's 2018 NBA draft picks at the UCLA Health Training Center on June 26, 2018 in El Segundo, California. Moritz Wagner was chosen with the 25th overall pick and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk with the 47th pick. 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 Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. Match any offer sheet that Julius Randle signs

Well, maybe not any offer sheet, but the Los Angeles Lakers definitely should be willing to pay Julius Randle next season. If a team offers Randle a max contract then the Lakers obviously should not overpay and match that offer sheet.

However, the chances of any team significantly overpaying for Randle is slim. The implications of mismanaging the salary cap are as big as they have ever been and no team is going to take the same risk on Randle that the Memphis Grizzlies took on Mike Conley.

Will a team slightly overpay Randle to make it harder for the Lakers to match the offer sheet? Absolutely. Since the Lakers do own Bird Rights on Randle though the team should have no problem matching this deal. The Lakers can go over the salary cap for Randle. With

George

Cousins and LeBron presumably on three-year deals, it would keep LA from seriously jeopardizing the future.

Julius Randle is arguably the most talented Laker currently on the roster. While Brandon Ingram could potentially pass him up next season, the near 20 points and 10 rebounds Randle averaged in the second half last year was all-star worthy.

The Lakers wouldn’t be in terrible shape without Randle due to Kyle Kuzma. However, in a perfect world, the Lakers would find a way to bring Randle back.

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