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Dallas Mavericks: Julius Randle to enter free agency

By Kohl Rast

PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 5: Julius Randle #30 of the New Orleans Pelicans looks on during the game agains the Phoenix Suns on April 5, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 5: Julius Randle #30 of the New Orleans Pelicans looks on during the game agains the Phoenix Suns on April 5, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NBA free agency will be a wild event this year and Julius Randle of the New Orleans Pelicans recently decided he wanted in on the action. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Randle will become a free agent this summer.

The Dallas Mavericks have some decisions to make this summer, and unfortunately with the way free agency works, all they can do is make the offer and hope it works. The ball is in the court of the guys tasked with choosing who they want to play for in the next 1-4 years.

One of the guys who will have to make that big decision is now Julius Randle, who according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, will not pick up his player option and is instead going to test the free agency market again. He had a great year with the New Orleans Pelicans and has a lot of potential going forward, seeing as he is only 24 years old.

Randle likely decided to move forward with his career thanks to the Pelicans getting the first overall pick. They are undoubtedly going to be selecting Zion Williamson with the pick, a guy who plays the same position and a similar style to Randle.

The Pels also traded away Anthony Davis, whom Randle had a good relationship with. The direction of the team is unclear at this time, so it makes sense for Randle to go a different route and he likely will find a better deal than he had with New Orleans anyways.

I have never been a fan of Julius Randle joining the Mavs. I think he is a good player that does a lot of things well, but his skill set does not pair well with Kristaps Porzingis in my opinion. I have been pushing for the Mavs to focus on rebounding help, but Randle actually could make a strong case as one of the better options for that.

If I am being unbiased, Randle is not a bad option at all. He is a really solid scorer that could take over the post and can also help on the boards. Those fit the Mavs areas of need pretty well. He is also from Dallas and could be interested in playing in his hometown as well.

If the Mavs choose to pursue Randle, it should only be after exploring the availability of the top tier stars. If they are able to get Randle on a reasonable contract after that, though, I am all for it.

Next. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson a potential free agent target?

Julius Randle is a good player and seems to be a good teammate and whoever does end up getting him this summer will have made a good move. Free agency is a strange time of the year full of surprises and every emotion you can think of, but no matter what happens, it is always a fascinating event.