Randle cleared for Lakers' Summer League

Mitch Kupchak and the Lakers wanted to "err on the side of caution," according to team spokesman John Black. And so that,s exactly what they did, sending first round draft pick Julius Randle to Indiana to see a foot specialist.

On Wednesday, foot specialist Dr. David Porter examined Randle and his much talked about right foot in Indiana. Dr. Porter ruled Randle did not need surgery and has been cleared for all basketball activities, the team announced.

The foot injury dates back to Randle's days in high school when he had a screw placed in his surgically repaired foot. There were no shortcomings in his lone season at Kentucky, still there was talk in NBA circles that Randle's foot needed to be repaired and surgery was the route to go.

Had Dr. Porter ruled surgery necessary, the Lakers rookie would likely have been out at least six months, according to reports.

Instead, Randle is expected to be in uniform July 11 when the Lakers open up their Summer League schedule against the Raptors.

Randle was selected seventh overall by the Lakers in last week's NBA Draft. In his one season at Kentucky he averaged 15.0 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. He set Kentucky freshman records in rebounds (417), double-doubles (24), and free throws made (204).

Kendall Marshall and four-year veteran Rodrigue Beaubois will join the team led by associate head coaches Larry Lewis and Mark Madsen.

Beaubois averaged 7.1 points per game in his four seasons with the Mavericks but was out of the league last year.

Locals of note on the Lakers Summer League roster include former Loyola Marymount guard Anthony Ireland and Harvard Westlake grad Renaldo Woolridge, whose late father, Orlando, played two seasons for the Lakers.