5. Julius Randle
Julius Randle is a prime example of a potential star who just needs the right fit. Last season with the New Orleans Pelicans he averaged a career-best in points at 21.7 per game, as well as averaging 8.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists. Those numbers alone make him an improvement to almost any team.
While Randle is a power forward, which Indiana appears to have covered with Sabonis, Randle gives the team a few interesting options to consider. There is the first option: He could start, and Sabonis could become a very talented sixth man for the team. The second option is: Sabonis could try to make the transition to small forward. After all, Sabonis has proven himself to be a lethal three-point shooter.
One final wrinkle to consider with Randle is that he’s not quite as highly talked about as the rest of the guys on this list, so the Pacers could potentially get him for a little less than the other big names this offseason. This would not only give Indiana a new threat on both ends of the court, but it would also make it possible and easier to fill out the rest of the roster with a little more talent.
Randle has only gotten better every season. He needs to join a team who wants him there and will give him a chance to win. On the right team, we could see a breakout season for the talented big man. Indiana might be just the place for that to happen. It’ll be interesting to see if he decides to return to the Pelicans next season.