'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#1 Julius Randle
During the 2018 off-season, Julius Randle became a restricted free agent, and the Lakers quickly decided to renounce their 2014 first round draft pick. The Lakers made the decision to renounce Randle in order to improve their salary-cap flexibility, although it was still a somewhat surprising decision due to the fact that Randle was coming off of the best season of his career.
Trending
During the 17/18 season, the 24-year-old averaged 16.1 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, and unsurprisingly, the New Orleans Pelicans immediately offered the young center a two-year deal worth $18 million.
Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.
Despite the Pelicans struggles this season, Randle has continued to improve, and as the NBA season reaches its conclusion, Randle is averaging 20.7 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. Ultimately, he could have contributed significantly for the Lakers this season, and it looks as though the franchise let a future All-Star walk away last summer.
Los Angeles Lakers Fan? Check out the latest Lakers depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.
