NBA Trade Rumors: Julius Randle could emerge as an option for Lakers

NBA Trade Rumors: According to a recent report, Julius Randle could emerge as a possible target for the Los Angeles Lakers. 

As the Los Angeles Lakers continue to wait out a potential trade of Kyrie Irving, it’s not surprising to hear that the organization is at the very least exploring other potential avenues of getting Russell Westbrook off the roster.

Westbrook was a bad fit on the Lakers from the opening jump and it would probably be in the best interest of both sides if there was a divorce between the two sides. The problem is, of course, that there aren’t many teams standing in line waiting for a chance to acquire Westbrook.

However, one interesting possibility that was outlined by long-time basketball scribe Marc Stein was the Lakers targeting Julius Randle from the New York Knicks in the event that the team acquires Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz.

In an attempt to cut salary, which the Knicks will likely need to do to pay RJ Barrett (assuming he won’t be included in the Mitchell deal), the team could look to move Randle.

Randle could theoretically be moved to the Lakers in a potential swap for Westbrook. In that event, though, it would be unlikely for the Knicks to retain Westbrook. He’d likely be moved to a third team along with a future pick.

It’s just another opportunity and option for both the Knicks and Lakers. It’s also one that would be all the more interesting considering the Lakers traded Randle away just a few years ago.

I suppose the big question that the Lakers would have to ask in such a scenario is whether a Randle-Anthony Davis-LeBron James frontcourt would be a better fit than a Westbrook-AD-LeBron trio?

Quite frankly, I’m not sure what the answer to that question would be. Nevertheless, it’s something that should be at least considered. Especially if it’s even remotely a possibility.