NBA free agency rumors: Former Lakers forward Julius Randle signing with Pelicans

Julius Randle is heading to New Orleans.

The 23-year-old forward agreed to a two-year, $18 million contract with the Pelicans on Monday, according to a report from ESPN. Randle holds a player option in the second year, the report says.

Randle averaged a career-high 16.1 points and added eight rebounds per game in 2017-18.

Free agent Julius Randle has agreed to a two-year, $18M deal with New Orleans, league sources tell ESPN. Player option second year.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2018

Randle had been a restricted free agent but the Lakers renounced his rights Monday. Randle requested the move, according to a report from ESPN.

According to multiple sources Julius Randle asked to be renounced by the the Lakers once it became clear his role could dramatically change this season and the team wasn’t interested in making a longer term commitment to him.

— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 2, 2018

Randle was originally selected by the Lakers with the seventh overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. He has started 182 games over the last three seasons for Los Angeles.

The Lakers have completely overhauled their roster since LeBron James announced he was signing a four-year, $154 million contract with the team.

Los Angeles has inked Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to a new deal and added Lance Stephenson, Rajon Rondo as well as JaVale McGee to its roster, in addition to James, this offseason.

The Pelicans finished last season with a 48-34 record and made the playoffs for the first time since 2014-15. They topped the Trail Blazers in their first-round series before falling to the Warriors.