Denver Nuggets: The Nuggets should target Julius Randle
Julis Randle is the perfect replacement for Paul Millsap for the Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets should target and sign Julius Randle this offseason.
This offseason the Nuggets can exercise their team option with Paul Millsap and free up nearly $30,500,000 for the 2019-20 season. This enables the Nuggets to sign free agents this summer.
Instead of resigning Millsap for the 2019-20 season, the Nuggets should sign Julius Randle. Randle has a player option this summer and if offered the right contract, he could be lured away from the Pelicans.
Julius Randle just had the best season of his career. Per 40 minutes of playing time, Randle averaged 28 PPG, 11.4 RPG, and 4.1 APG. He averaged career highs in points, rebounds, and assists this season.
Randle can hit the three-point shot and help improve the Nuggets’ three-point shooting. This season Randle also averaged 34.4% from three-point range. His 2018-19 season was his best shooting season yet.
Over the past three seasons Randle has had a true shooting% of 57% and 24% usage percentage. He also had a 42% free throw frequency over the past three seasons. This is one of the best in the NBA. Randle could critical in helping the Nuggets get their opponents
Randle has one of the highest rebound % in the league with 16%. Key to the Nuggets’ success this season was their offensive rebound prowess. With Randle on the Nuggets, the Nuggets will be the best rebounding team in basketball.
Randle’s value to the Pelicans this season has been undeniable. Randle’s Player Efficiency Rating (PER) was 21.02 for the 2018-19 season. His PER is top 25 among players in the NBA playing over 30 MPG. And among centers playing over 30 minutes per game, Randle is top 10 in PER. He is definitely under appreciated as a player.
Randle leaving the Lakers and taking on more responsibility with the Pelicans has shown how good of a player he can be in the NBA. He would be the perfect player to replace Millsap at the power forward position. His contract will also likely be less expensive than Millsap’s 2019-20 contract.
He is only 24 years old and offers nearly a decade of upside for the Nuggets. His ability to get to the three throw line and score near the paint will allow the Nuggets to better spread the floor. Randle is also a much better rebounder and defender than Millsap and he will free up Jokic to be more of a facilitator.
The Nuggets should pursue Randle this offseason and sign him to a longterm contract.