“Julius Randle of University of Kentucky is interviewed by the media after a pre-draft workout at the Lakers gym in El Segundo, CA. Tuesday June 17, 2014. (Thomas R. Cordova-Daily Breeze/Press-Telegram)”
The consolation prize for the Lakers’ worst season in L.A. franchise history came in the form of Kentucky’s Julius Randle, a bruising forward that Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak expressed surprise over being available Thursday for the seventh pick of the 2014 NBA Draft.
But after the Lakers’ losses piled up last season with never-ending injuries, will Randle help the purple and gold end that string of bad luck? Multiple Yahoo and ESPN reports indicated several NBA executives felt concerned with Randle’s right foot and suspected that it would need surgery. That fear stemmed from Randle breaking his right foot in the second game of his senior season at Prestonwood Christian Academy in Texas. A screw was then inserted into the foot.
Yet, Kupchak downplayed the seriousness surrounding Randle’s previous injury.
“He’s been cleared and will be monitored going forward,” Kupchak said Thursday at the Lakers’ practice facility in El Segundo. “With any injury, there’s always a possibility it can be reinjured. Certainly that is something that we considered in the selection process. But we just felt his talent was such that even he had to miss a period of time with that kind of injury, it could be six months if necessary, it would not impact his career. At his age, even if he does reinjure it, there’s no reason why he can’t play 12-14 more years at a very high level.”
Kupchak conceded uncertainty whether Randle would play in Las Vegas Summer League from July 11-21, but Kupchak said that had nothing to do with his foot and everything to do with whether they would sign his rookie contract beforehand.
The Lakers narrowed in on Randle after he impressed him in an individual workout that entailed going one-on-one against Lakers development coach Mark Madsen, performing mid-range jumpers and competing in a series of two-on-two drills against the team’s athletic trainers.
Yet, that did not deter the Lakers from drafting Randle after he impressed them two weeks ago in an individual workout with what Kupchak called “effort.” Randle averaged a nation-leading 24 double doubles in his freshman season with the Wildcats.
“He’s got big-time skills and can put the ball on the floor, drive and get to the rim,” Kupchak said. “He’s been criticized with his jump shot a little bit. But we feel with repetition that’s not going to be a problem going forward at all. The bottom line is he plays and competes at a very high level. He loves contact.”
Yet, Randle did not participate in the Lakers’ group workout that included a flurry of prospects, including Arizona forward Aaron Gordon (selected fourth overall by the Orlando Magic) and Indiana forward Noah Vonleh (selected ninth overall by Charlotte Hornets). Vonleh had impressive measurements with a long wingspan (7-4) and large hands (10 inches long). But a Lakers source considered Randle to be more polished and versatile than Gordon and Vonleh.
“Julius had good measurements as well. That’s never been why you select somebody, measurements,” Kupchak said when asked why Randle was chosen over Vonleh. “Both players measured well and we liked both players and had both ranked very high. But we just felt if Julius were available, he would be the one we’d take.”
And he’s one that Kupchak believes will earn the approval of Kobe Bryant. Eventually.
“Although I don’t expect Kobe to talk to him until January,” Kupchak joked, “I think he’ll like him.”
Consider Bryant already sold, tweeting a message to Randle mere minutes after his selection.
Welcome Home @J30_RANDLE from one legendary institution to one epic franchise #LakersDraft
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) June 27, 2014
RELATED:
NBA draft lottery: Julius Randle wants to play with Kobe Bryant
NBA Draft: Analysts identify who the Los Angeles Lakers should select with their seventh overall pick
NBA Draft: Julius Randle eases concerns about foot, impresses Lakers in workout
Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com