If you needed any more evidence that the Los Angeles Lakers are now looking ahead to the 2019 free agency rather than free agency this coming summer, look no further than how they're addressing the trade offers they're receiving for Julius Randle.
Recent reports have stated the Lakers are readjusting their focus on the 2019 free agency class that could include the likes of San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard, Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson, and Minnesota Timberwolves’ Jimmy Butler, instead of this summer's free agency class.
This goes against the rumors that Los Angeles will pursue hard this summer for the likes of Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James, New Orleans Pelicans’ DeMarcus Cousins, and Oklahoma City Thunder’s Paul George.
In order to go after the likes of James, Cousins, and George, the Lakers would have to clear some cap space to accommodate them, which means trading on the likes of Randle. However, the 23-year-old could very well be staying put.
According to reports by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers could very well have Randle in their future first-team plans, as the team has turned down several offers for him by other teams which include a second round pick.
Wojnarowski states that no team is prepared to offer Los Angeles a first-round pick for the 23-year-old as he will be entering restricted free agency this summer if he isn't given a new deal by his current team, so it makes sense for interested teams to not offer so much for him.
If Randle isn't traded before the deadline later today, it could be a further indication that the Lakers are focusing on the 2019 free agency class, meaning they will not be going hard after the likes of James, George, and Cousins this summer.
Considering there's no guarantee any of those star players mentioned will be moving to Los Angeles this summer, it might be better off for them to hold on to Randle and seeing what the market offers him.
At least then they will still have a young, promising player in their sights, as well as still have the ability to match any offer he receives as a restricted free agent and if something better comes along, they could figure something out. Randle has averaged a career-best 14.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game on 55.4 percent shooting so far this season.