All U Can Heat
Fansided

Miami Heat Rumors: NBA trade deadline idea for Pelicans’ Julius Randle

By Rahmeaun Rahming

PORTLAND, OR - JANUARY 18: Julius Randle #30 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts against the Portland Trail Blazers in the second quarter during their game at Moda Center on January 18, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - JANUARY 18: Julius Randle #30 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts against the Portland Trail Blazers in the second quarter during their game at Moda Center on January 18, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
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) /

It’s been well documented that leading into this past off-season, Julius Randle wanted to stay with the Lakers, but he’d have to earn a contract from Magic Johnson to do so. Giving Randle a new deal would mean using up some of that coveted salary cap they spent to sign LeBron James eventually. Although he’s held out of action with a right ankle sprain, Randle has been having a high impact season in a Pelicans uniform. This season Randle is averaging 20 points, 9 rebounds while shooting 54-percent from the field.

This type of output is excellent for the Pelicans, but it does present an interesting contract situation. Randle has a $9 million player option for next season. If he feels good enough about his play and the rest of the free agent market, he will opt out. If he feels he needs a bit more time to incubate while getting a more significant role next season or feels like there are too many higher profile, free agents, hogging up all of the available cap space in the league, he will opt in.

With the trade deadline approaching, the Pelicans do have an opportunity to get out of what could be two consecutive contract years for Julius Randle.

Enter Pat Riley and the Miami Heat.

With the Heat in salary cap hell and the Pelicans looking to avoid that same fate after trading away Anthony Davis, Pat Riley could be poised to make a trade offer the Pelicans cannot refuse. IF Randle will at least promise to pick up his player option this summer.

So the pros and cons are necessary when thinking about this Randle deal.

Home/Heat News