Though the Lakers hope to draft a franchise anchor with the 2nd overall draft pick in the upcoming draft, Julius Randle’s return is probably just as important to the fate of the franchise as whichever player is selected later this month. After missing his entire rookie season, Randle is still a question mark, but the promise he showed (and the hope it inspired) still looms large.
It is great news, then, to see Randle working out at the Lakers’ practice facility and advancing in his rehab the point that he’s cleared for 2-on-2 and 3-on-3 work in the half court:
(via Lakers.com and TWC Sportsnet)
The most interesting takeway isn’t that he’s healthy, but that he’s lost as much weight as he has and the positive benefits he is attributing to being lighter. A Randle who is quicker off his feet, better able to recover when getting tired, and moving around the floor with more ease is a player even more dangerous. If he’s able to retain his functional strength with the lighter frame, watch out. He will essentially bring quickness and skill of a smaller player to the PF position. If you have been watching the playoffs, you only need to see how the Warriors and Cavs have benefited from Draymond Green and LeBron bringing the skillset of a wing player to the PF spot.
Before you start down that path, I’m not necessarily comparing Randle to either player. LeBron is the starting point in any argument for best player in the league and Draymond was the runner up for Defensive Player of the Year and is boasting the league’s best on/off efficiency numbers for any player in the playoffs. These guys, in some ways (or in LeBron’s case, many ways), have been productive in ways that is not easily replicated.
However, Randle’s skill as a ball handler, passer, and scorer are in the same family tree of what those guys provide. Just as I once compared Randle to Lamar Odom, if you look around the league today, you can see how Randle’s game can take shape by watching film of guys like Green, James, and other PF’s who are asked to play with the ball in his hands and be a playmaker for himself and teammates.
Of course, these are just projections based on skillset, size, and the position Randle is projected to play. In order for us to see if any projection can become a reality, Randle must be on the floor, available to play. Besides the ramping up of his training shown above, Randle insists that he is 100% now and that he “feels great”. Those words, combined with the clips we see above, should be music to every Lakers’ fans ears.
Because while the Lakers hope to add another top piece later this month, a big key to where they want to go as an organization will depend on how last June’s top pick develops. Based on the mental approach he took to his redshirt campaign and the discipline he has shown in managing his rehab physically, the future looks promising for him. We’ll see first hand next month in Las Vegas at Summer League.
LKK says
Sometimes, adversity can catapult an NBA team forward. The rash of injuries to the Lakers played a huge role in the futility the team displayed the last two years. Much like the Spurs who acquired Duncan mainly due to an injury to David Robinson, the Lakers hope that the future will be enhanced by this year’s draft. Hope that Randle is part of a great future for my favorite team.
Ed says
Randle`s rehab is about over, and now he`ll start to build his strength and conditioning leading up to Oct.His skill set fits perfectly with the Leagues current emphasis on versatility and spreading the floor. I expect to see Randle 2.0 show more quickness and explosiveness than we saw last year,while still having the strength to score or draw fouls in the paint. This draft will be the most important since Kobe was chosen. I just hope the Lakers make the right decisions
PurpleBlood says
Those words, combined with the clips we see above, should be music to every Lakers’ fans ears.
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Add that to our #2 pick & I´d say i can hear a full on symphony!! 🙂
grumpy says
Randle has a nice looking shot and I see him being able to stretch the floor, though I’m not sure about his 3pt range at the moment. This bodes well for the Lakers. Heres to Randle having a long, healthy and productive Lakers career.
Chris J says
He carries himself extremely well for someone so young. Not that possessing a good attitude and maturity alone make for a great player, but when it comes to drafting someone after just one year of college, those two things are definitely characteristics that are encouraging to see. I look forward to seeing more of what he can do on the floor.
BigCitySid says
-The good news is simply this: our Lakers will be better in the upcoming season, almost impossible for them to be any worst. Will they be good enough to win at least 33 games, thus avoiding a 3rd straight 50 game losing season…I don’t know, however that’s my early minimum bar for success.
– I’m just happy that in Randle, Clarkson, and a top 2 draft pick, I’ll have an opportunity to focus on at least three players 22 and under grow as NBA players and hopefully reboot our stagnant franchise.
– I know a lot of attention will be dedicated to Kobe in 2015-16, as Jeannie Buss is fond of saying. No question, as one of the most iconic Lakers of all time, and the 2nd best two guard in NBA history, he’s deserving. However, since we are being told this Kobe’s last year, how much court time should he have this season? Should he still be the 1st option on offense?
– Looking forward to draft night, can’t wait.
“Everybody is Entitled to My Opinion”
lil pau says
I’m getting really excited about this transition to our next Lakers team. To those ends, while I realize we are at Minny’s mercy, check out these images of what still very well might by our next franchise center:
http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/6/1/8700409/la-lakers-draft-workout-karl-anthony-towns
my god…
PurpleBlood says
nice link there lil pau, thanks; oh…& whooowee!
CATS8884 says
Lil’ Pau Towns is the real deal, people haven’t seen what he can do yet. Being a UK I appreciate Cal but he really holds back the development of his big men. Towns has been able to shoot for a long time (he was on the Dominican Republic National Team also coached by Calipari that played against team USA, when Towns came in he played well against current NBA stars as a 16 year old.) Towns was going to be the number 1 (or should be) all season, the only reason he wasn’t projected that way is because of all the talking heads at ESPN who don’t follow high school recruiting.
CATS8884 says
http://youtu.be/mLOQWTaD7i0
Here is the game I was talking about Karl versus team USA
BigCitySid says
– With all the love being shown to Karl Anthony Towns, it looks like the Lakers need to figure out how nice a tandem Okafor and Randle will be.
Chris J says
SSR page with Towns highlights also had story on rumored Wade exit from Miami, with L.A. supposedly high on his wish list should he leave the Heat.
No, no, no and no. Unless by L.A. he means the Clippers. The Lakers don’t need another high-priced, injury riddled guard. No Rondo, no Wade.
R says
Too early to know for sure about who of Towns & Okafor will be the most successful pro. There’s a number of “X” factors in play.
R says
Re: Wade and/or Rondo — yeah, let ’em be.
BigCitySid says
– Rondo should give serious consideration to Houston. Harden has already request an upgrade at the point.
– Wade in Clipperland? Hmmm?
Aaron says
Towns is already angling for the Lakers telling everyone he won’t workout for any team. It will be interesting to find out down the road how far he went to get to LA. It won’t be just skipping a minny workout.
Robert says
Towns: I am very excited about the small possibility we might get him. The beauty is that we do not need to do anything except hope the Wolves mess this up. I am confident we can execute that plan.
R says
Very good point, Robert!
The best plan for the Buss kids is the plan that requires they do little or nothing.
Ko says
One good thing came from Swaggy P this year. When top picks see him hanging and getting married to big name star they no doubt think”man that can be me” “Not catching anything but a cold in Minnesota”
Thanks Nick and come on down mr. Towns!
Hale says
Sid, to be the champ you have to beat the champ. I’m fine with Bryant not eating first as long as one of the youngsters takes the ball with a kung fu grip. One of my biggest issues with Howard was that he thought the pack should be given to him instead of earned leadership. Bynum, I felt, would have been that guy if not for the torpedoes to his knees. For Kobe, I don’t want to see him average more than 28 minutes (preferably low 20s) and I want him to play all 82. If one of these kids can go Alpha, I think he’d play the gruff Obi-wan role out of necessity or to save face.
Warren Wee Lim says
I may be in the minority of preferring (well being more than ok) with Jahlil Okafor.
He has HUGE hands… he has awesome footwork. I know his shot needs work and such but I love the possibility of us being in the playoffs with a stud big man, Randle coming back, Clarkson developing further, 23.5M in cap space (or more) if we traded picks 27 and 34 for future considerations or our own 1st rounder back.
As for Julius, its almost I forgot how his game was… had to go get some Youtube clips and man I love his transition game. He has handles close to Lamar Odom’s, well he has no brakes so offensive fouls would be a problem but don’t you just love big men who can dribble in transition? With a mid-range jumper? Being 18lbs lighter his motor is just going to be running all night long.
It might also be good to discuss the Lakers’ options at starting SF with our budget… the fact that we no longer need an absolute homerun this FA to call it a successful offseason and on our way back to the playoffs.
Renato Afonso says
I would have no problem with signing DeMarre Carroll to play the three, if he wanted to. And that’s about the only SF available who might be worth it (Kawhi won’t leave the Spurs).
I also think that Towns and Okafor both can fit perfectly next ro Randle at PF, so we only need to wait and see which one will fall to us. I have a personal preference for Okafor but Towns is an excellent prospect as well.
PurpleBlood says
lol KO, & good point!
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Warren,
It´s nice to sense your optimism as regards our near future. Think we´re all feelin´ good around here –
Craig W. says
There is a reason people were saying the first two picks were a lock, before the lottery happened. The first two picks are talented big-men. Okafor was presumed to be the #1 choice for most of the year. Therefore, let’s not think we lost if the Wolves pick Towns with #1.
If the 76ers had not picked two big men the last two drafts, they would be bemoaning the fact that they couldn’t get one of the two bigs this year. After all, they dumped their highly picked PG this last year, before they knew where they would be in this draft: I suspect they feel it is much easier to replace a PG than a big front line.
Vasheed says
If Towns is available to the Lakers I would whole heartily pick him. I think he is the most talented player in the draft. This looks like a strong possibility with Saunders favoring post play so strongly (Okafor’s strength).
So now if all things are equal talent wise between Russell and Okafor who do you choose? Conventional wisdom says you pick the rarer big. However, NBA rule changes have effectively changed how the game is played. Indeed post play will not be the focus of either team making their way to the Finals this year. It is in this high paced environment, with zone defenses allowing the post to be cut off that sharp shooting floor spacing especially guards have lept to the fore. It is in this narrative that Russell becomes the better choice. Paired up with Clarkson, Russell looks like a natural fit in the Lakers back court. When Lin was playing well and was partnered with Clarkson they were at times a potent combo.
Scott however, employs an old school Princeton offense. This features that your guys be capable of dribbling and shooting at all positions. It also benefits greatly from having a post player who can make passes to open shooters. This is where Okafor sounds like a really good option as this is what he excels at.
So if you take an NBA generic perspective it would tend to favor Russell over Okafor. But specifically in regard to Scott as head coach Okafor would seem the better fit.
Centers play a lopsided importance on the defensive side of the ball. I don’t think Okafor would be horrendous at this but it isn’t his strength. The second most important position to guarding the paint PF where we would project Randle to eventually start is a little alarming as this isn’t soething Randle is that good at either. The Lakers perimeter defense head lined by Kobe isn’t that great at this point either. So getting a good defensive Center might be a good idea. I’m somewhat enamored with the idea of drafting Russell to fill the back court with Clarkson and then drafting Upshaw late in the first round to fill the need at center. Upshaw’s draft stock is so low due to his substance abuse issues. As a player though he dropped the opposing team’s 2p% by about 10 points. He averaged I believe adjusted for minutes over 4 blocks per game. Simply put he anchors a team’s defense. I’ve also been somewhat surprised in his workout video at how good his offense looks.
So my personal preference at the moment goes Towns, Russell and then Okafor. I would not be terribly unhappy though if they drafted Okafor.
R says
Bigs still matter and Bogut IMO is a key to the Warriors success. When he was injured in the past the Warriors have stalled. He’s been reasonably healthy this year and they’ve flourished. Correlation isn’t causality but it’s a good hint.
If an LBJ/M Jordan talent was available at the #2 pick this year yeah pick him! Don’t think that’s the case and I suspect most agree, so pick the aircraft carrier.
BTW, if the Lakers were to pick based on how the player fits Byron Scott’s coaching style I will jump off a bridge. Not intended to disrespect Byron, but coaches come and go, and the Lakers may be able to land a franchise corner stone that will last a decade or more.
CHearn says
A viable target for the Lakers at small forward is Dallas’ Al Faruq Amino. He’s 24 years old athletic with a 6’9” wingspan, has improved his skills and more importantly is mentally fortified. He’s decent defensively, and more consistent than Wes Johnson whom the team should retain for the bench. Aminu might revel in coming back to Los Angeles to play down the hall from the team that drafted him.
It’s good to hear the Lakers assessed J.P. Tokoto, he’s a player that could develop into a two-way player, capable of defending 1-3 on defense. On offense, he has to develop a consistent jumper but he finishes in the paint.
Craig W. says
While current – emphasize current – NBA offense emphasizes spread offenses and movement off the ball, a team has to have a decent big man in the middle to compete. Think Golden State without Bogut – not getting out of the first round of the playoffs. Think the Mavs without Chandler, or the Spurs without Duncan, or…or…or. Even the Cavs had to pick up Mozgov.
Since we have Clarkson and are building in that area, I would take Okafor and plan on training him up on defense, rather than try to reproduce GS backcourt and hope to get a center sometime.
rr says
A viable target for the Lakers at small forward is Dallas’ Al Faruq Amino.
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I would like the karma on that–Aminu was part of the package that the Clippers sent to NO/League for Chris Paul.
rr says
Vasheed,
Good post.
rr says
And, yes, the Lakers should of course make this pick without worrying about fit with either Byron or Kobe. BPA.
Chris J says
Only a Grantlander could believe/suggest Larry Bird has more claim to No. 33 than Kareem. Simmons is gone, man… no need to keep chugging the Kool-Aid.
http://grantland.com/the-triangle/heres-70-years-of-basketball-history-in-one-graphic/
R says
Bird > Cap? Hahahahahahahaha !!
14.1 says
According to this piece, it looks like the team may be considering international prospects for the later rounders. Draft express has the Lakers picking a center from Spain and a PF/C from the Virgin Islands. I know it’s a mock draft, but if there is any possibility of it then it’s interesting to speculate what the team will do with the no. 2 pick. Obviously the team will not use all three picks on PC/C positions since there’s a need at pretty much every position. Curious about what folks think about this mock and the draftees mentioned.
http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/6/2/8716037/la-lakers-nba-draft-2015-spain-international-scout
http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft-extended.php
LordMo says
The pick is Winslow…he will be a Superstar!
Nick says
Randle has to transform his game into a SF/PF rather than a PF/SF
Especially critical if we end up with Okafor.
My dream scenario in the front court that I can’t stop thinking about is:
SF: Randle
PF: Karl Anthony Towns
C: Robert Upshaw (#27 or #34 pick)
Any thoughts on the KAT / Upshaw combo?