Section 215
Fansided

Julius Randle should be considered potential backup option for 76ers in free agency

By Dan Parzych

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 02: Julius Randle #30 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts after a call against the Pelicans during the fourth quarter of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 02, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 02: Julius Randle #30 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts after a call against the Pelicans during the fourth quarter of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 02, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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With Julius Randle entering free agency, the Philadelphia 76ers should give the big man serious consideration.

Remember back in 2014 when the NBA Draft was approaching, and there was some speculation over the possibility of the Philadelphia 76ers selecting Julius Randle?

At the time, the Sixers had two selections in the top 10 (No. 3 and No. 10), making it seem like Randle would be a solid option if he were to somehow still be available with that second pick of the first round.

Unfortunately, that dream scenario never took place for Philadelphia after the former Kentucky star would end up going to the Los Angeles Lakers at No. 7, where he would spend the next four seasons before joining the New Orleans Pelicans last summer.

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After looking at all of the changes and adjustments the Lakers were going through, it was easy to understand Randle’s decision to join a new team in the Pelicans for the 2018-19 season.

But with a similar situation taking place before his eyes once again in New Orleans following the massive trade with Los Angeles involving Anthony Davis, Randle recently decided to recently decline his player option for next season.

Now that Randle is hitting free agency once again, there will be plenty of teams expressing interest in the star forward to put them in better position to compete during the 2019-20 season.

And even though there haven’t been any reports expressing interest, the Sixers may want to give Randle some serious consideration as a potential backup option in free agency if certain plans fail to end up going their way.

For example, it’s no secret that convincing Jimmy Butler to return seems to be the top priority for Philadelphia this offseason, and even if it took rewarding the forward with a max deal to make this happen, this would obviously seem worth it.

But as the Sixers know, there are no guarantees when it comes to professional sports, and with other teams such as the Houston Rockets expressing interest as well, Philadelphia will need to be prepared for other options just in case.

Not to mention, the Sixers are in a similar situation with Tobias Harris as well since other teams are rightfully expressing interest in the forward as well, yet it seems like the team would love to see him potentially return as well.

Obviously, Philadelphia would most likely love nothing more than to see both Butler and Harris return after seeing how short they came in the playoffs this past season, but also the team is well aware of the situation.

Considering Randle a backup option in case things fail to work out with Butler or Harris may not seem like an ideal situation for a player coming off a career year by averaging 21.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, but this could turn out to be great for both parties.

While Philadelphia would get another big man they desperately need to the rotation, Randle would be joining a Sixers team expected to be a top contender in the Eastern Conference once again for the 2019-20 season.

When taking into consideration that Randle has yet to participate in the playoffs at this stage in his career, all of that could quickly change if he were to join the Sixers, but first things first, which is seeing how other factors play out once free agency begins.