When the Los Angeles Lakers took Julius Randle with the seventh overall pick, the team was filled with plenty of optimism after taking a high talented prospect. Unfortunately, all of those expectations went away just minutes into the regular season when Randle fractured his tibia.
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As a result, Randle missed the rest of the season and only participated in basketball-related drills towards the end of the regular season. He will return to the court Friday when the Lakers open up the Las Vegas Summer League against the Minnesota Timberwolves but will miss Saturday’s matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers, according to Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters:
The plan for Julius Randle for Summer League is to play Friday & Monday (take Saturday off just for precaution)
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) July 8, 2015
Also via Winters, the Lakers are still trying to take their time with Randle’s recovery process:
Lakers thought process behind sitting Julius Randle Saturday is simple: don't want to be over aggressive & start him off w/ a back-to-back
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) July 8, 2015
Randle impressed teammates thus far into Summer League practices. D’Angelo Russell described Randle as a “beast” while Jordan Clarkson called him a “monster with the ball.” If Randle can live up to all the high praise, the Lakers should be in good shape coming into training camp and the regular season.
With Randle missing time, other big men on the roster will be expected to see more playing time. Larry Nance Jr. figures to take the opportunity after being taken No. 27 in the past draft.
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