Los Angeles Lakers, for many times, got linked to several NBA trade rumors this off-season.
Purple and Gold is eyeing a better showing this upcoming 2015-16 NBA season and with many holes in the squad, they may or may not resort to more wheeling and dealing.
Among the NBA trade rumors where Lakers were heavily linked was about Sacramento Kings All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins. According to reports, Lakers are willing to ship sophomore Julius Randle along with some draft pick rights to get the services of Cousins.
This will not materialize though. Movie News Guide wrote Los Angeles Lakers has distanced themselves from such rumor.
"But wild cards have a way of turning the game," the website wrote.
"Especially if they are like Julius Randle who is still a player in development. The way the Lakers management see him, he shows some potential. They believe that they have a winner on their hands. Only time can tell if their belief shows promise, but for now, they are keeping Randle out of all the talks."
Julius Randle is entering his second year but this is basically his rookie since he went down with knee injury in just his first game. He then went on to sit out the whole of the 2014-15 NBA calendar year.
Now he is back in good health, the 2014 seventh overall draft pick is targeting to be a crucial contributor in team's offense.
"Though Randle "absolutely" sees himself averaging a double-double, Randle maintained, "I'm just going to do what's best for the team and whatever I can do to help the team win,"" Mark Medina of Los Angeles Daily News wrote.
Randle is alsoaware that more than scoring, he also needs to help in other aspects of the game.
"I'm not a guy that puts a number on things," Randle said. "It's about how you affect the game. It's more than just points and rebounds to affect the game to win. That's going to be the biggest thing, how can I affect the game for us to win as many possible games as possible?"
Randle is one of three young core of Los Angeles Lakers that include 2015 no. 2 pick D'Angelo Russell and last year's All-Rookie team member Jordan Clarkson. They will play under the guidance of veterans Kobe Bryant and Metta World Peace.
