Getty Zach Randolph of the Sacramento Kings drives against Tyler Cavanaugh of the Atlanta Hawks.
Long one of the NBA’s most respected enforcers, Zach Randolph is getting up there in age yet looking to keep his career going. Randolph still showed to be a capable finisher on the offensive end as he posted 14.5 points per game on 47% shooting from the field in his last season of play – 2017-2018 (as he served more of a mentor role last season and didn’t see action).
Known for his physical and grinding style of play, Z-Bo is a dying breed in the NBA and has recently has tried to adapt his game to the modern NBA. To his credit, in his last season he posted the best three-point shooting year of his career with personal bests of 34.7% from deep on 2.5 attempts per game.
While not the rebounder he once was, Randolph still offers a valuable veteran presence who might actually become a competent stretch big in his old age, something many teams are actively looking for – including possibly the Lakers.
Zach Randolph Gives Bold Lakers Prediction and Talks Free Agency
While towards the end of the TMZ video, Z-Bo curbed his Lakers prediction slightly, at one point earlier on he clearly says, “The Lakers are going to be on top again.”
He also kept his answers fairly ambiguous when it came to his fit on the Lakers or free agency in general, however, he isn’t really allowed to speak out on the specifics prior to the start of free agency.
Lakers Fit With Zach Randolph
If Z-Bo signs with the Lakers, he might actually be a perfect fit. While he doesn’t send back many shots, he is a rock in the low post and a very competent defender. The Lakers need bench depth, defense, and shooting above all else – boxes that Randolph all checks. He didn’t see the court last season due to the Kings attempting to give all their minutes to the youth movement and was eventually traded and waived.
While not an elite shooter, he showed major improvement for a big man in his last season and despite his age, it isn’t entirely unrealistic that Randolph could actually improve on that during a season spent as LeBron’s teammate. LeBron’s playmaking ability should help find the aging Z-Bo a number of easy looks while Randolph’s veteran presence could help steady a locker room that will be filled with free agent mercenaries.
Z-Bo should be available for an extremely affordable price and as he still has yet to pick up a championship ring, could be brought on with league minimum to chase rings with the Lakers as he rides off into the sunset.