More 2014 NBA Draft: Draft Tracker | Draft Trade Tracker | Mock Drafts
The Los Angeles Lakers selected Kentucky forward Julius Randle with the No. 7 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.
This is the first step of the rebuilding process for the Lakers, assuming they decide to keep Randle after making this pick. Before his freshman college season, he was talked about in the same class as Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker in terms of top preps. While he was good as a freshman at Kentucky, he wasn't a dominant player at all times and some wonder if he can be an All-Star power forward in the NBA.
He has an incredible sense of when to use his strength and when to use a nice touch around the basket. He's a fantastic offensive rebounder, often drawing comparisons to Zach Randolph. However, his game is much more mobile and active than Randolph, even when the Grizzlies' power forward was coming out of Michigan State.
CBSSports.com's Matt Moore thinks the Lakers nailed this pick.
Lakers: Julius Randle: A+: The guy Kobe would want in terms of attitude. A bull inside with great character and touch at the rim.
— Matt Moore CBS (@MattMooreCBS) June 27, 2014
Randle could immediately be under the wing of Kobe Bryant as he learns what being a Lakers is all about.
The 6-9, 250-pound Randle averaged 15.0 points and 10.4 rebounds per game in his lone season at Kentucky, which finished 29-11 and lost to UConn in the national championship.
