LOS ANGELES _ Although the Los Angeles Lakers have not made clear how serious they are about re-signing forward Julius Randle, they have ensured that he will be a restricted free agent when the market opens Sunday at 12:01 a.m. EDT.
The Lakers extended a $5.6 million qualifying offer to Randle on Wednesday, which means they will retain the rights to the 6-foot-9 power forward as he heads into free agency this weekend.
If Randle signs an offer sheet with another team, which he can do starting July 6, the Lakers will have 48 hours to match the offer. Randle's agent can begin negotiations as soon as the market opens.
Randle now will count for slightly less than $12.5 million against the Lakers' salary cap because of what is called a cap hold, which is put on teams' salary caps while they retain the rights to restricted free agents.
The Lakers can free themselves of that cap hold by withdrawing their qualifying offer and renouncing their rights to Randle, as the Detroit Pistons did last season with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The Lakers would take that measure only if they need the cap space because top free agents have agreed to sign with them.
The simplest way for the Lakers to add two free agents under maximum deals would be to renounce their rights to Randle and waive and stretch payments to forward Luol Deng, who played 13 minutes last season, all in the season opener. Deng is owed $18 million in each of the next two seasons. Stretching his contract would spread the salary cap hit over five years and save the Lakers nearly $12 million on next season's salary cap.
Randle, who will be 24 in November, turned himself into an integral part of the Lakers' roster last season. He began coming off the bench while Larry Nance Jr. started at power forward. After he worked past his initial disappointment, Randle began to dominate as the Lakers' backup center when they moved to small lineups.
Randle returned to the Lakers' starting lineup Dec. 29. In a league that values smaller centers who can guard different positions, Randle showed his worth. He was the only Laker to play in all 82 games last season. As a starter, Randle averaged 18.6 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.
Coach Luke Walton has been vocal in his desire for Randle to return to the Lakers.
General manager Rob Pelinka said in May that he had no set number in mind as the ceiling for what he will pay Randle. He added that there had been contact with Randle's camp, "a mutual exchange of interest and hoping that we can work something out for both sides."
Randle's agent, Aaron Mintz, responded to Pelinka's comments with skepticism.
"We still have no indication of where Julius stands among the Lakers priorities, or if he is a priority at all," Mintz said. "We are looking forward to the marketplace in July, when we will get a clear picture of Julius' future."
Mintz also represents Paul George, the Oklahoma City star whose decision could affect Randle. If the Lakers are able to acquire George and any other stars in free agency, they might choose to part with Randle.
