Sports Media

Lakers Re-shifting Focus From 2018 Offseason Towards 2019 Free Agent Class

Trey Daubert / NBA / February 6, 2018

Lakers Offseason — The Los Angeles Lakers have been rumored to be big players in the LeBron James market. But could they shift gears of focus this offseason? (Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports)

Lakers Re-shifting Focus From 2018 Offseason Towards 2019 Free Agent Class

The Los Angeles Lakers have been rumored to be big players in the LeBron James market this summer. LA native Paul George is also rumored to land with the Lakers this upcoming summer. Unfortunately, they will need to make a bevy of moves to open up two max slots including releasing Julius Randle, Luol Deng, and a trade of Jordan Clarkson.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, it appears now that they have a different plan in mind.

“The Lakers aren’t abandoning a summer pursuit of stars, but rather they are recalibrating their focus on a 2019 class that could include San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard, Golden State’s Klay Thompson and Minnesota’s Jimmy Butler, league sources told ESPN.”

The Lakers aren’t giving up on the 2018 offseason but the Achilles injury to DeMarcus Cousins and Paul George’s growing willingness to stay with the Thunder could be the reason why they are changing their plans. The elephant in the room LeBron James is also impossible to predict as well.

They have been better as of late winning 10 of their last 14 games. Of course, the recent winning streak comes with Lonzo Ball out of the lineup. The most overhyped loser in the history of basketball, Lonzo Ball, isn’t the reason why a star comes to play in LA. Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, and Josh Hart give the Lakers a young core to finally be excited about.

Woj also adds that LA could make a move during the deadline that gives them more clarity on their future.

“The Lakers have listened to offers or explored trades for both players that included first- or second-round picks, but sources indicate that none of those deals would save significant cap space for the future, thereby negating the initial reason for exploring trades for those players.

While the Lakers could still move either or both players before Thursday’s trade deadline, one league source put the chances of a meaningful trade at “50-50 at best.”