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2016 NBA Rookie Rankings: Where did Mario Hezonja Finish?

By Brett David Roberts

Feb 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots around New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots around New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Julius Randle, Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant
Apr 11, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) speaks to Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) during action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Julius Randle

Previous Rank: 6

Julius Randle did exactly what he said he would in his first full NBA season. Randle claimed prior to the year he would average a double-double, but it is so exceedingly rare among rookies that most doubted he could do something even Kenneth Faried could not do.

Randle averaged 11.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, and his field goal percentage improved late in the season.

Randle shot 45.3 percent from the field during the last two months of the season while averaging 11.9 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Randle also saw 30 minutes per game during the season’s final three months, after having proved definitively the Lakers have their starting 4-man.

That is what makes it possibly a good bit more likely that if the Lakers have to choose between Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram that the team goes with a 3-man like Ingram.

Randle is good enough to warrant holding a spot for him at the 4. Whether the Lakers feel the way or not remains to be seen, but we also do not even know where the team will be drafting so that is another topic for another day. Randle is a strong 4-man capable of putting tit on the floor and creating for others.

In the last month of the season, he averaged 3.1 assists per game, and the potential for him to be a point-forward at times is tantalizing. Randle is a unique talent and he plays within himself well, usually relying on his left hand with a style just unorthodox enough to challenge defenders.

Randle appeared potentially undersized after measuring just 6-foot-7 without shoes, but he plays bigger than that.

Next: Clear as Mud