After completion of the Lakers first summer league practice, a healthy Julius Randle was seen shooting jumpers from various parts on a side hoop at the practice facility. The rookie, however, did not participate with the team in the 5-on-5 portion because his contract has yet to be completed and signed.
The Lakers begin Las Vegas Summer League on Friday vs. the Toronto Raptors, but Randle is uncertain if he'll suit up.
"We'll see," he said of whether he'll be able to play. "It’s kind of really out of my hands right now. I’m ready to play whenever, but it’s not really in my hands right now."
Despite media reports surfacing before the NBA Draft that the Kentucky product may require surgery on his right foot, the 6-foot-9 forward was optimistic he would be medically cleared when he visited a foot specialist last week.
"I kind of knew what the diagnosis was going to be, but to finally have it over and that whole whirlwind of flying places and all that drama, to finally have that over with is a relief and I can just play basketball," he said.
The Texas native broke his foot during his senior year in high school and subsequently had a screw inserted. However, he played all 40 games during his lone season at Kentucky and his foot did not give him any discomfort.
"I didn't have any pain," he said. "It never really gave me any trouble last year whether it was in practice or in a game. It kind of caught me by surprise when that (injury) stuff came out."
Randle maintained there isn't any other preventative measures or procedures for now that are required to take care of his foot.