Lakers News: Julius Randle Extended $5.5 Million Qualifying Offer

The Los Angeles Lakers have their sights set on starrier attractions this summer, but they're not allowing Julius Randle to slink off into unrestricted free agency.

The Lakers, as expected, announced they have given Randle a $5.5 million qualifying offer, making him a restricted free agent next month. He will have a $12.4 million dead-cap charge, per Spotrac, though that's mostly procedural.

Unless Randle accepts the qualifying offer (unlikely), the Lakers could use the money as cap room for LeBron James, Paul George or another free agent. Los Angeles and Cleveland are widely believed to be the front-runners for James, who has led the Cavaliers to four straight NBA Finals appearances.

Randle, 23, had a career-best season in 2017-18. He averaged 16.1 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game, using his newly sculpted body to finish better near the rim and shoot a career-high 55.8 percent from the floor.

The Kentucky product missed almost his entire rookie season due to a leg injury but has shown vast improvements each of the subsequent three years.

"I have been through a lot," Randle told ESPN.com's Ohm Youngmisuk in March. "My life since being in the NBA, the ups and downs of winning 17 games [in 2015-'16], breaking my leg, coaching change, players that you are close with getting traded, the frustration of playing time, all that type of stuff, you really learn to take everything in stride and really learn to have patience."

The Lakers will have a difficult time retaining Randle should they acquire George and James. Randle might also be seen as a potential sign-and-trade piece. The San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard is available, though San Antonio's interest in Randle has not been established.

There's something of a consolation-prize feeling to his free agency. A team such as the Dallas Mavericks could be interested if they whiff on bigger names like DeAndre Jordan. 

Given the upward trajectory of his career, Randle could wind up being a bargain if you can get him in the $16-18 million-per-year range.