5:51pm: Randle asked to be renounced once it became clear his role could dramatically change and the franchise wouldn’t make a long-term commitment to him, Ramona Shelburne of ESPN tweets.
4:19pm: The Lakers have renounced Julius Randle, making him an unrestricted free agent, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (via Twitter). As we detailed earlier today, the move increases the club’s projected cap room to nearly $14MM.
Randle, a former seventh overall pick, enjoyed the best season of his four-year NBA career in 2017/18, averaging 16.1 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.6 APG, and a .558 FG% in 26.7 minutes per game. The 23-year-old is now free to sign with any team, though there aren’t a ton of clubs around the league that still have cap room available.
A Monday morning report had indicated that the Lakers were set to meet with Randle’s representatives today, with his camp hoping for a contract offer from the team. That seemed like a viable possibility, since L.A.’s first few moves in free agency seemed to accommodate Randle’s cap hold.
However, it appears the two sides couldn’t find common ground during that meeting, clearing the path for the big man to land elsewhere and for the Lakers to open up cap room.
It seems the Lakers will use a significant chunk of their newly-created space to sign Rajon Rondo. The veteran point guard has reportedly agreed to a one-year, $9MM contract with the club.
Damn
I don’t understand who they can get as FA that would really be an improvement though?
wouldn’t it have been better to sign him and then trade him if you wanted someone else .. kwahi , love, melo, etc.
See: Cousins, DeMarcus
Yup
Cousins would be awful for the Lakers. A crappy presence.
Not with Rondo onboard. They coexisted fine. He fundamentally doesn’t want to be “the guy” and on a LeBron led team that wouldn’t be an issue.
Wow, I didn’t think they would. Cousins next?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Magic is dealin
Brooklyn should definitely look into him.
Tell me about it!
I see Randle getting around $17 million. Who has that kind of money left? Phoenix, Atlanta, Chicago, maybe Indiana? Randle was expected to be a part of a sign and trade for Kawhi. I think San Antonio will drag this out like Phoenix did with Eric Bledsoe last year.
Rajon rondo? Wtf
Truly sad, I think he’s one of he best out there at his position. PF
He’s Limited. Not a great long-range shooter. Short arms. He is at his max right now. Maybe somebody thinks Randle will give them three or four years at this level before he drops down and players figure him out. Poor Man’s Zach Randolph.
I think “poor mans Zach Randolph” is a solid assessment. His skill set screams overpay for potential.
Leaving room for Perkins. ~
Looks like they’re signing Evans and keeping Lopez on the cheap….
Just saw they signed Rondo….
They just traded Julius Randle for Rajon Rondo and that’s about the stupidest thing I’ve heard related to the NBA in years. LeBron is running the show.
Wow you really think Magic and ownership would let LBJ come in and make those bold moves? This guy is going to get blamed for all perceived bad front office decisions.
Julius Randle is 6/8 but can’t guard the perimeter. He’s a starter on a non-playoff team.
Can’t guard the perimeter? Rondo, except for his limited outside range, is a great PG for LBJ to play with. Hi IQ.
Exactly. And with Lance and KCP those 4 guys will lock down the perimeter
I’m saying Randle is expendable on a good playoff team because he can’t guard the perimeter. That’s why I Looney and JaVale McGee we’re huge for the Warriors. There are effective on the pick-and-roll defense. Randle is not.
Not accurate. They found a suitable replacement for Ball, who they’re going to trade for Kawahi. Let the rest of the pieces fall into place…I hate the Lakers but you need to let this play out before judging it.
Title-winning stuff.
I think the Pacers still have $20 million left. That should be enough if that’s what the Pacers want to do.
The 2 postions they are talking about are power forward and backup shooting guard (Steve Alford is known as the best Indiana high school player of all time. I see them giving Bryce a chance. I like Bryn Forbes too).
That sets the Pelicans back. Would not be shocked to see Cousins announced today too. Nice sign.
I don’t know which move I hate more; Letting Randle walk or signing Rondo.
Clint Capela
Called it. I think he ends up in Brooklyn, as I said before. The Lakers will stretch Deng, and sign Cousins to a 1+1
He’s already signed in NOLA but nice try
Where did you see that?
Cousins went to GS. You called nothing
I know. It was amazing
Randle scores more, rebounds more and 10 years younger. Those are the moves I don’t get.
Did you just compare Julius and Rondo? If you see the deal he got, he clearly just didn’t wanna be in LA anymore
Pelicans? wow didn’t see that being a fit.
What are the Lakers doing with these terrible post LBJ signings? Are they trying to taunt the spurs by saying we’d rather kill all hopes of a trade this year just to spite you and take your guy next summer? That’s cold.
Seriously, Lance, McGee and now Rondo? What the actual F??
Rondo, KCP, Ingram, LeBron, Cousins. Kuzma, Hart, Lance, Javale, Ball off the bench. Add a depth piece or 2, and the 2 shooters they drafted pretty much round out the roster, and that looks pretty good assuming health. LeBron makes them a contender by himself
They’re not waiting, I like it. Let’s see what we got.
Agree with browserhound… hard to know what’s worst letting JR walk for nothing or signing Rondo. Way I see it unless they make the gigantic mistake of trading Ball, Rondo should be coming off the bench… how ’bout that for chemistry?