Randle calls last season with Lakers 'hardest by far in my life'

New Orleans Pelicans big man Julius Randle was perhaps at his best in 2017-18 for the Los Angeles Lakers, setting career highs in points and field-goal percentage.

But Randle struggled with other components of the game last season, including his lack of control over his future with free agency looming.

"It was my hardest (season) by far in my life," Randle said to Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated. "Everything was bothering me from the basketball standpoint. I felt like there were issues that were out of your control. I am a person that likes to control the narrative. ... I just had to grow up. I can't worry about things I can't control and let it affect my happiness."

Randle parted ways with the Lakers after the team renounced his rights, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent. He wasn't offended by the move and appreciates the relationships he made during his time in L.A.

"The Lakers stuff, it didn't really bother me," Randle said. "I moved on. The tough part is the brotherhood and bond you establish with the players and the other guys. Nobody knows what you go through other than the guys in that locker room. All of us were young. I was an older dude in that locker room and I was 22, 23 on my fourth year in the NBA. You go through wars with these guys and grow with these guys.

"When (Jordan Clarkson) and Larry (Nance) got traded (to Cleveland), it hurt me."

Randle signed a two-year, $17.7-million contract with the Pelicans shortly after his rights were renounced.

The 6-foot-9 forward appeared in all 82 games last season for the first time in his career, averaging 16.1 points and eight boards.