Los Angeles Lakers: The most confusing moves of the offseason
By Jason Reed
1. Not matching Julius Randle’s offer sheet
I understand why the Los Angeles Lakers did not offer the New Orleans Pelicans’ offer sheet for Julius Randle. However, although I understand the logic behind the move, the move is still confusing due to Randle’s production last season and how he would have fit with the team.
Randle tore it up after the All-Star Break and was averaging close to 20 points and 10 rebounds a game. Randle took up a hybrid power forward-center role and actually excelled in doing so for a Lakers team that was decent at center.
Now, the Lakers do not look as good as last season at the center position and could have used Randle’s scoring and rebounding alongside James and the rest of the young core.
If Randle’s offer was some absurd amount then I would not be challenging the Lakers’ decision to not match his offer. However, the offer was not that substantial and something the team easily could have made work.
Per Spotrac, Randle’s deal is for two years and is worth $17.7 million with a player option for the second season.
The reason the Lakers did not match this offer is that the team is trying to maintain salary cap space, hence why every deal signed afterward was for one season. However, Randle could have been that second all-star for LeBron James next season and if the Lakers would have stretched out Luol Deng, the team would have room for a superstar.
The Lakers could have made it work and get a potential all-star season out of Randle. Instead, the Lakers opted not to.