Lakers News: Latest Updates on Julius Randle, Pau Gasol and More

Summer is a season of change, and there is perhaps no NBA team more desperate to transition into a new era of dominance than the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers are fresh off a disappointing 27-55 season that saw this lofty franchise firmly entrenched in the NBA cellar. They will be involved in all the big free-agent discussions, as they are nearly every summer.

There is always plenty of speculation surrounding this omnipotent franchise to keep fans entertaining all the potential roads this team could travel. However, there is still plenty of concrete news to discuss regarding the team and its future plans.

Here is the roundup of the latest happenings in Lakerland.

 

Julius Randle Reportedly Won't Need Surgery, Cleared to Play



Julius Randle, the Lakers' first-round pick in the 2014 draft and key to their future hopes, will not need surgery on his foot and is a possibility for the team's summer league roster. Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times reported the news:



This is good news for Lakers fans who want to forget the demoralizing 2013-14 campaign and focus on Randle's bright future.

The former Kentucky Wildcat averaged 15.0 points and 10.4 rebounds per game during his lone season in the collegiate ranks. He brings an explosive first step and an aggressive approach to the game that should appeal to the team's resident alpha dog, Kobe Bryant.

According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, Randle said his goals are to "win a lot of championships and reach my full potential."



Randle still needs to sign a contract, but the ability to play for the team in the summer would give fans an early look at his overall health and abilities against professional opposition. Key concerns surrounding Randle include his below-average wingspan, which may hinder his ability to get his shot off in the paint.

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