Familiar face All-Star might be Lakers' top trade target

More than a decade ago, the Los Angeles Lakers used the No. 7 pick to get their hands on Julius Randle.

His rookie season was cut short by an injury, and he never flourished or reached his true potential in the Purple & Gold. But now that he's a seasoned veteran and All-Star-caliber power forward, the Lakers might want to welcome him back with open arms.

According to Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus, the Lakers can make the most of his situation with the rebuilding Brooklyn Nets to get him back in Southern California.

The Lakers might want to bring Julius Randle back

"Still, if he's available, Randle would give the Lakers a very different frontcourt alongside Kessler, with Mamukelashvili backing him up," wrote Pincus. "Randle doesn't fit the Nets' timeline, and while they probably won't deal him before the season starts, he's definitely a player to watch ahead of the trade deadline."

While not the most proficient defender or floor spacer, Randle is an absolute menace in the paint. His $33.3 million salary would be a problem, of course, with Pincus pointing out that the Lakers would have to use Jaden Hardy, Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt and Jake LaRavia for matching purposes, though that would put the Nets over the allowed 15-man roster.

As such, they will likely need to include a third team in this transaction to acquire one of the best players available. Randle shouldn't want to stay in Brooklyn for long, given his age and championship aspirations, and the Nets only need as many young players and draft capital as they can get their hands on. So, even though it didn't work out the first time, this looks like a match made in heaven now.