The Lakers could consider trading for Nerlens Noel. (Photo : Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
The LA Lakers can take advantage of some new opportunities that have recently developed if they are willing to trade Julius Randle.
However, both moves could also be costly because Randle is a young lottery talent. Still, there is probable cause for to consider.
One possibility is trading for Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat. While this may be a self-defeating exercise, there are some suspicions raised that Heat president Pat Riley may be accelerating the process of Bosh's retirement.
This is in light of scathing comments by Bosh himself from an Uninterrupted video. Bosh claimed that Riley never called or texted him personally about how he was not cleared by Heat doctors making him ineligible to play.
Still, Bosh was quoted accusing Riley of trying to clear him off their books. "If you think you're going to turn my medical issue into cap space, think again," Bosh said.
However, he wants another shot even if it's not with the Heat: "I guess my career in Miami is done. My career is not done. That does not mean my NBA career is over. There's 29 other teams."
The Lakers can gamble for Bosh, sending Julius Randle and the seemingly untradeable Nick Young for the veteran forward/center, but needless to say, Bosh has to get medical clearance with the Lakers' doctors. At the very least, there won't be suspicions of an ulterior motive if another team's medical staff examines him.
Randle would be very welcome with the Heat. He's often compared to Lamar Odom, a known Riley favorite when he was with the Heat. While the main goal for Riley is to clear cap space, Randle is much cheaper and younger than Bosh.
But another team could be interested in Randle's services, and that would be the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers recently lost Ben Simmons, the first overall draft pick this year and their "point forward" in waiting.
Simmons could be out until January as he is set to undergo surgery, as reported by Marc Stein of ESPN. "The No. 1 overall pick is expected to miss about three months, a source told ESPN's Jeff Goodman, which would peg his return in December or possibly even January," Stein reported.
The Sixers could send disgruntled center Nerlens Noel for Julius Randle. Randle can be a playmaking power forward who could also play alongside Simmons when he returns.
Meanwhile, Noel can be the legit rim protector that the Lakers need. The Lakers have a logjam at the four spot as Larry Nance, Jr has improved. They also acquired Yi Jianlian and might even play small ball with veteran Luol Deng at the position.
The Lakers acquired Timofey Mozgov as their rim protector but he is still injury prone and second round pick Ivica Zubac still needs to time to develop. Noel could definitely fit the role.
