I keep going back and forth on what to do with Randle because frankly, he is looking like the odd man out between him, Nance and Kuzma I'd say at this point, Randle is actually NANCE insurance, because Nance WILL get injured. When that happens, I expect Randle to earn his starting spot back. He's too good to not be starting and we need him to start. There's no reason why him and Ball can't run the same pick and rolls that Zo and nance have been running. Zo should be getting Randle 8-10 points a game minimum on those plays. That's where I have to say that Luke is not playing Randle with the right set of players. He needs to be out there with Zo and Lopez at all times. I still believe in Randle but if this is our idea of pumping up his value and dumping him with Deng...it's going to be veryyyy tough doing that. Only teams I can see potentially doing the Randle/Deng dump would probably be Chicago and Brooklyn (ironically)
The problem with Randle on the floor with Zo at all times is it breaks up the Zo/Kuz connection. Unless you want to take Ingram off the floor. Randle is the odd man out. I just hope we can salvage something for him. Phoenix could actually use Randle as well.
What's sad is that our 2nd best player during preseason is now one of our worst players. I foresee DNP's in the near future. We might as well trade him now if we are looking to maximize his value.
Back away from the ledge everyone. It will get better with the Randle situation.... is my prediction. The FO knows for the team's benefit and for Julius's benefit this year they need to reach him mentally, and they will. 2 games into the season only. Trading him now is not maximizing his value.
I think it's kinda too late. Playing 18 and 13 minutes, respectively, in the first 2 games, is a huge slap in Randle's face. Now benching randle won't be a problem as long as we're winning. however, if we're losing, and he's still being benched? It becomes very problematic and potentially catastrophic for our locker room.
You know I'm a huge fan of Julius and I'd love to see him succeed as a Laker. I've always viewed him as our 2nd or 3rd best player and a core piece of our future. However, after watching these games I'm convinced that Lonzo is the heir to Kobe. Lonzo is our franchise player and we need to build around him for the next decade. Given that the coaching staff is refusing to experiment with Lonzo and Julius on the court together, unfortunately Julius is the odd man out. For the sake of Randle and for the sake of the team, he can not be relegated to a 10-15 mpg player. Like others have mentioned, such treatment can become problematic, and honestly, what's the point of keeping him at that point? By season's end his value will depreciate to the floor, and he's too good a player to keep as insurance for a Nance injury. Unless Luke can find a bigger role for him, we need to trade him now.
I don't understand what you guys are talking about. Randle didn't get a chance to play with Zo/Lopez/BI/KCP lineup that was projected. At no point was he put in the best position to succeed. At no point was ANYONE patient with his mishaps, in the same manner BI/Nance were. So... stop acting like he was given a chance. He put in the work, played well in the preseason, apparently played well in practice and camp and ... NADA. If it were any other workplace, we'd be all for him to leave and "screw the company", but because company happens to be our beloved Lakers, we rationalize for them. Luke/Magic/Rob are screwing him up in a contract year. I'd demand a trade, if I were Randle. And due to his agent having a leverage with the Lakers, may be he should. Then, when Nance is out with his usual injuries, we are back to Deng (cause you just know Luke are not starting Kuzma).
Except we do. There are several reports from training camp and preseason on Julius performance/shape etc. So, someone lied then or is lying now. Either way, Luke does/did a piss-poor job of managing Randle.
re: the trade ideas from the previous page. i think to indy for joseph makes some sense for both teams (throw ennis in there in case they feel like they need to get a pg back). randle seems like a natural long term fit with turner. that said, they already rejected randle in one trade. to dallas for harris doesn't make sense for the lakers, imo. you don't need to dump randle, as he simply expires this year. so you need to either pick up an asset or dump a salary. dallas doesn't want to add salary, either, so who blinks at a mcroberts/yogi ferrell for randle deal? lakers get a young, very capable backup pg. yogi's a FA with only early bird rights, though. randle's from dallas, too. i don't see phx taking randle or deng.
Randle is a talent but one that really doesn't fit what the Lakers are trying to create now that they have drafted Ball ...... Ball needs guys that stretch the court with their jumper..... something that is a complete struggle when it comes to Randle. They also need someone who can effectively guard his position..... something again that is a struggle when it comes to Randle.... too slow to guard 3's, too small to guard lanky 4s ........ Randle is a stater for someone but it won't be with the Lakers IMO......... not with what Luke is trying to implement..... Kuzma's surprising range and his ability to somewhat guard the position make him expendable at this point....Randle is not worth a new contract when you get a closer philosophical fit with a cheaper rookie one..... it's really a complete no brainer..... Hopefully the Lakers can trade him and try and get a 3D perimeter defender.......
I think it's clear from preseason and the first two games that rotations are not set in stone. He might be getting the short end of the stick now, but it's not like he's produced great when he's been in there. There is time for that to change for sure. Plus, Nance will miss time, and Kuzma is a rookie not built to bang at the 4. There will be plenty of minutes. This is only an issue when all 3 all healthy. Hopefully Randle uses this time to continue to learn and develop. But I bet he's not. :/
There is a better chance of the Lakers winning a title this year than anyone taking a Randle and Deng salary dump. Randle is a deep bench player in a few years. He is not an NBA player from a mental standpoint. His skill set means nothin g when his brain can't do one single fundamental task.
Literally you're the only person I've seen on the board that doesn't think Randle is an NBA player. You're blatant biased in rooting for Randle to fail is perplexing.
Mistreated? There are two PF's playing better than him. He's playing horribly on the offensive end and even worse on the defensive end... it's warranted. Oh, his pouting and horrible body language doesn't help his case either. I was a rooter for JR, but seeing that phoenix game, I was really disappointed, don't come in halfass stuff and expect to play. I hope he bounces back just like BI and Zo did. And someone teach this kid to screen...
I think the "mistreated" comment stems from him apparently doing everything the FO asked, outplaying Nance and Ingram throughout preseason, yet having such a short leash. That said, everything you said is spot on and he needs to get out of this funk and prove he deserves more minutes. Efforts like Friday night won't cut it.
we've harped on it a lot, but the screen setting (lack thereof) is maddening. you have to almost be refusing coaching (or our coaches are really, really bad).
