Lakers expect Julius Randle to be recovered in time for Summer League

Julius Randle said he had an attack plan following season-ending surgery to repair a broken leg he suffered in his NBA debut.

That plan includes a second consecutive trip to Las Vegas Summer League, where Randle appeared in four games ahead of his rookie season. Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott said Saturday that the team expects Randle to be fully recovered in time for the July league, where Scott is taking Randle and fellow rookie Jordan Clarkson with dominating other inexperienced competition.

"Definitely," Scott said of Randle playing in the tournament. "Julius is obviously getting healthy, and the summer for him is going to be big for us as well."

Randle's freshman year has essentially turned into a redshirt campaign after breaking his leg 14 minutes into his career, costing him a full season of development. He used the time to repair a potentially troublesome foot issue, but otherwise, the No. 7 pick has missed a great opportunity to improve on a Lakers team that would have been able to give him plenty of playing time and attention in a lost season.

The Lakers only have Ryan Kelly under guaranteed contract in the frontcourt for next season, so depending on how their offseason shakes out, Randle could be leaned on as a major contributor in 2015-16. He'll likely join a top-five pick from this coming draft in trying to get Kobe Bryant back to the playoffs for what could be his final NBA season.