Hype or Bust: Trade deals that could happen before the deadline

8. Julius Randle (Los Angeles Lakers):

Randle has had a great run past few weeks

The Lakers have been touted as a prime location for star free agent talents for the 2018 season. So as to attract these stellar signings, the Lakers need to free up cap space by letting go of a few expiring/expensive contracts. Luol Deng is a contract nobody will touch, so they have to forgo some of the younger players. Julius Randle is one of such players who has not played a big enough role to keep his place in the roster.

A possible destination for Julius seems to be the Dallas Mavericks who have a bunch of players on expiring contracts to offer, essentially creating some salary space for the Lakers next season. A possible trade deal could look like this:

Julius Randle to the Mavericks, Seth Curry and Yogi Ferrell to the Lakers.

It makes sense for both rosters as the Lakers are looking to clear up cap space and the emergence of Kuzma has pushed everyone else down the pecking order. The Mavericks are looking for young assets and players like Randle who can get double-double numbers off the bench are very much appreciated by them. The deal seems highly likely to go through.

HYPE: 7/10