Julius Randle Discussion: Beast, Ox, Monster, Lotus Flower

I know I was just being silly. It's all up in the air at this point. We'd only play him there if that meant we got a big man in FA so we'll be alright.

Either way we're getting better this summer. A lot better.

 

I get your position, but I still don't see the value in trading him. I still haven't thought of a single guard that fits your criteria as a trade partner for him.

I just don't see a need to separate "building through the draft" and "winning now". If we sign a max level FA like Aldridge this summer we're doing both. A healthy-ish Kobe and a healthy-ish LaMarcus with solid role players is enough to get into the bottom ends of the Playoffs. Then next summer we have enough cash to go get 2 more high profile FAs and we can win now AND in the future.

I'm simply not going to sell one of my prime assets for a decent PG just to try to win now, man. It won't happen. I'm not trading Randle unless I'm getting a flat out stud back and I don't see anyway to make that happen.

 

Dude I get that. I'm asking you though: who do you trade him for? You say trade him for a veteran PG, okay. Who?

I don't know anything about Randle that you don't. I see more positive trends than you do. I think two lower leg problems is a little different from lower leg injuries. I know that broken bones are far, far different than torn ligaments. The foot is somewhat concerning, the leg isn't concerning to me at all. I've read pretty extensively on his recovery process and I know that he won't run into that problem again unless someone breaks his leg which we can't account for. I know they've done a lot of corrective training for him. Basically since his foot injury his kinetic chain was off. Now they spent an entire summer retraining his body to distribute his weight more efficiently. That may or may not help his feet, but it'll certainly help his knee and ankle joints and his bones as well. This reminds me much more of Blake Griffin than of say Brandon Roy.

In the end though all I'm really saying is I get your position on moving him for a proven player. I don't agree with it, but I get it. What I don't get... is who? Who is out there that is available, worth trading away a promising young talent, and works financially?

 

I wouldn't shoot down a trade if you poised it... That's a weird attitude to have I'm open to moving him for the right package, I just think our idea of the right package is going to be different. More importantly I genuinely cannot find anyone who would work financially with what we would need to do to make a trade like that. Veteran PGs making near Randle's salary frankly aren't very good usually or we can go get them right now (Mo Williams for example).

I'm familiar with foot injuries, specifically I'm familiar with HIS foot injury. I know there's definitely concerns with it. Stress fractures are by definition frightening because they indicate improper forces being applied (obviously these guys are pro athletes). However, fixed with a rod that particular bone will no longer break. Will another one break? Maybe, but I doubt it. They've fixed his kinetic chain for now and that means he's moving more naturally without the stresses he had before. That's why his rehab has taken so long. I'm truly not that worried about his bones breaking unless from blunt force trauma and he's shown no ligament damage whatsoever. If we were talking ligament, tendon, or cartilage damage I'm with you, but with bone? I'm not that concerned for a young guy.

 

If Scott can stick Ryan Kelly at the 3, he's certainly crazy enough to try Randle there. Whether or not it works is another discussion, but I think if we draft Okafor, we will see Randle at the 3 some time.

 

I grow tired of people saying he can't play the 3. Is it his best position? Depends on that new jumper he has. He could be a nightmare to matchup against. I think the main thing is if we have Randle at the sf, we NEED a shutdown 3 and D at sg. Someone like Justin Anderson who can probably guard both the 2 and 3. Kobe and Randle I admit will not work well with Okafor and Aldridge. ZERO 3 point shooting.

I still have this sneaking suspicion we might "shock" everyone and take Russell.

 

I don't want Randle playing the SF, generally speaking. If it is what has to happen to give him minutes with LMA, then so be it. But otherwise no thanks. You lose the advantage he has at the PF which is his speed and mobility. I never liked Lamar much at the three either and said so many times during his time here. He was better at PF where he was such an instant mismatch.

Randle can play SF offensively but I think he is going to be at a real disadvantage defensively. He is not going to be able to keep up with the quicker, smaller players at that position. And offensively, yes, he can bully them on the post, but we'll already be crowded down there with Okafor and LMA. I don't think he's a great fit for SF. But as I said, if he needs to play there in order for us to get LMA then I will live it.