Rookie Julius Randle is starting to feel comfortable in his new surrounding in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, even though Randle has been cleared to play in the NBA Summer League next week, the Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes have held up contract talks with the Kentucky product.
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According to Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters, Randle won’t be able to play in the Summer League for the Lakers if he’s not signed before Friday:
Julius Randle says he doesn’t know whether he’ll play Friday’s Summer League game, though he is medically cleared.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) July 7, 2014
The Lakers are currently going all out in their pursuit for superstar Carmelo Anthony in free agency. With all the focus being on signing Carmelo, Randle’s contract negotiations has taken a backseat.
Although many anticipate Carmelo announcing his free agent decision on Monday, there’s been no deadline set by the superstar. Reports surfaced on Sunday that Carmelo’s decision might be made later in the week.
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Hopefully, Randle can sign before the team leaves for Las Vegas later this week. Although Carmelo is expected to make his decision early in the week, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that this process is drawn out a bit longer.
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