Los Angeles Lakers extend qualifying offer to Julius Randle

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EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) The Los Angeles Lakers have extended a $5.6 million qualifying offer to forward Julius Randle, making him a restricted free agent.

The Lakers made the move Wednesday, ensuring they can match any offer sheet from another team signed by Randle starting on July 8.

The 23-year-old Randle is coming off his best season with the Lakers, who chose him with the seventh overall pick in 2014. He averaged a career-high 16.1 points with 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists while playing in all 82 games.

But the Lakers hope to be a major player in free agency next month, so it's unclear whether they will retain Randle. They might need to renounce Randle's rights or otherwise move him to clear salary cap space for two superstars.

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