Memphis Grizzlies should keep an eye out on Randle, Nance
The Lakers have a trio of talented power forwards. One of them will eventually see the door, and the Memphis Grizzlies should pounce when it happens.
Many — including myself — expected Lonzo Ball to be the star rookie in Los Angeles. Instead, power forward Kyle Kuzma has been the steal of the draft by a long shot and looks like a legitimate cornerstone for this Lakers team. Because of his emergence, it puts them in a sticky situation.
Of course, the Lakers are linked to every superstar. Because they’re the Lakers, right? In the meantime, it’s going to come at a cost.
The Lakers have a trio of young talented big men in Kuzma, Julius Randle and Larry Nance, Jr. Right now, it’s clear that Kuzma is untouchable as he and Lonzo already have great chemistry together. Not to mention, he’s already taken the starting power forward spot over them.
With that being said, the Memphis Grizzlies should have Julius Randle or Larry Nance, Jr. on their radar. This team should eventually have their eye on the future, and they can redeem their draft misfortunes.
How could the Grizzlies acquire either of these two players? Will it acquire an offseason trade or free agent signing? What would these two players bring to the table?
How to acquire either player
Julius Randle will probably be a restricted free agent offseason, and Larry Nance still has another season under contract.
If the Lakers pull Randle’s qualifying offer, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent. The Grizzlies should pay attention to the market for this power forward. He obviously has proven to have the skill to thrive in today’s NBA. However, it’s alarming to see a top-7 pick in a deep 2014 draft lose his starting spot to a late first-round rookie less than 10 games into the season.
If the market is as dried up as it was last offseason, he could come at a team-friendly contract. However, the Grizzlies should pay attention to the Lakers’ activity. If they come away with only one star instead of two, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to dangle Marc Gasol in a sign-and-trade for Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson.
Nance could be the harder player to acquire. As the Lakers look to be active next summer, he’s a team-friendly deal worth keeping as he’ll only make $2,272,390 next season. He’s worth keeping since he’s a young talent on a dirt-cheap deal.
The Grizzlies don’t have many enticing players or contracts, so trading for Nance will be difficult. He’ll definitely be a player they would have to keep an eye on whenever he becomes a free agent.
What could they bring to the table
Both Randle and Nance are versatile big men that fit today’s NBA. They both run the floor extremely well. In addition, they can serve as a small-ball 5.
Nance has the lower ceiling of the two. He doesn’t have much of a jumper (41.6 percent between 16 feet and the 3-point line), but he’s a filthy finisher at the rim (71.1 percent within three feet of the rim). In addition, he has the tools to be an excellent defender. He could slide in as the future starting power forward of the future. Or, he can be the sixth or seventh man off the bench, receiving minutes as the backup power forward and center.
Randle is definitely an enticing prospect for the Memphis Grizzlies. Think of him as a modern-day Zach Randolph. Like ole ZBo, he’s a 6’9″ lefty who’s a nightly double-double threat. However, Randle is insanely more versatile. He can run the open court as both a playmaker and a finisher. In addition, he has a better handle that’s silky smooth. His jumper is a work in progress, but he has the mechanics to at least become a threat.
If they acquire Randle, he can easily slide in as the starting power forward and a potential cornerstone for the next era of Memphis Grizzlies basketball.
Next: 4 possible changes to the starting 5
Closing Remarks
Either player might be a long shot to acquire — since the Grizzlies are gearing up for the postseason and are limited with their assets. The only way to acquire Randle is to get him a package for Marc Gasol or — more unlikely, because Lonzo — Mike Conley. Larry Nance, Jr. also would be a future acquisition as opposed to a pickup that could happen within a year.
Given the each team’s situation both now and in the immediate future, this prospect is definitely something to keep in mind.