Report: Lakers, Mavs discussed Randle-for-Noel swap
Julius Randle finally looks comfortable in his fourth season with the Los Angeles Lakers, yet his name still reportedly surfaced in trade talks.
The Lakers had initial talks with the Dallas Mavericks on a potential swap of Randle for Nerlens Noel, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The discussions reportedly ended, however, after Noel elected to undergo thumb surgery earlier this month, Wojnarowski added. He's expected to miss four-to-six weeks to recover from a torn thumb ligament.
Noel would also need to agree to a trade, since he signed his qualifying offer last offseason, although he would presumably welcome an opportunity to play more minutes after being benched for most of the season.
Randle is easily outperforming Noel this year. Having dramatically reshaped his body in the summer, he is averaging 12.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while shooting a career-best 55.2 percent from the field. The Lakers have been at their best with Randle as their small-ball center, as they improve on both ends when he plays.
Noel, meanwhile, is averaging four points and four rebounds.