The future of the Los Angeles Lakers is looking overwhelmingly brighter than it has in recent years. Signing any of these superstars would help turn Magic Johnson’s dreams into reality.
Whether it’s cockiness or naivety, Los Angeles Lakers fans always seem to think that the next superstar to hit the market will soon be wearing purple and gold. While that may have been the case at one point in time, there are numerous recent instances that would suggest otherwise.
In the last few seasons, we’ve seen the Lakers mentioned as serious players for big-name free agents such as Carmelo Anthony, DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge. Obviously none of those players, or any other superstars, are currently playing for Los Angeles. However, with Magic Johnson now at the helm, the tide appears to be turning.
Suddenly, there’s this belief that superstars actually want to play for the Lakers. Whether it’s the arrival of Magic or the retirement of Kobe Bryant, the glory is allegedly returning to one of the NBA’s most storied franchises. That’s why many fans believe Paul George is essentially a lock to land with the Lakers in 2018.
While I’m not convinced the Lakers are a premier destination again, that’s not going to stop me from speculating on the team’s future. There’s a lot of hope swirling around Los Angeles, which is going to pique the interest of talent from around the league.
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So here they are — the five wildly ambitious free agents the Lakers could target in the next three years. You may not be buying the hype, but you better believe Magic will do everything in his power to get superstars like these guys to sign on the dotted line between now and 2020.
Klay Thompson, SG, Golden State Warriors
When he’ll be available: Free agent in 2019
Man, could you imagine a passer like Lonzo Ball having a knockdown shooter like Klay Thompson to kick the ball out to? That would be a dynamic duo for the Lakers, and one that isn’t as crazy as it may seem.
Realistically, the Golden State Warriors aren’t going to have the cap space to give Thompson the contract he deserves in 2019. Unless he’s willing to take a significant pay cut or another star jumps ship, it seems like Thompson is destined for a departure from the Bay Area.
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If that is the case, the Lakers absolutely have to be among his top potential landing spots.
The connections are there. Thompson was born and raised in Los Angeles, so he has ties with the area. His father, Mychal, played for the Lakers in his final five NBA seasons and still has a prominent relationship with the franchise. Either way, it’s not as farfetched of a match as it sounds like on the surface.
Obviously it depends on what the Lakers’ financial situation looks like come 2019 free agency. However, if they’ve got the spending power and a need for a sharpshooter at the 2, Thompson would be the perfect solution to that problem.
It’s not like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is going to be around at that point. Plus, Thompson’s elite defense would be welcomed into Los Angeles with open arms.
Jimmy Butler, SG, Minnesota Timberwolves
When he’ll be available: Free agent in 2019 (player option) or 2020
This situation is similar to that of Thompson. The Lakers need a two-way superstar at shooting guard, and Jimmy Butler would be just what the doctor ordered. That is, if he’s willing to move on from the Minnesota Timberwolves in two or three years.
Coming over from the Chicago Bulls, Butler is expected to join Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins to form Minnesota’s own Big Three. The Timberwolves are a team on the rise, and Butler’s arrival could be just enough to push them into the “contender” category in the West.
If things don’t go as planned, though, Butler could opt to test free agency in 2019.
Even if things are going well, it’s nearly guaranteed he’ll opt out of his current contract. His player option would pay him $19.8 million in 2019-20, which we all know would be well below market value for a player of his caliber. Whether it’s with the Timberwolves or another club, Butler will be signing a max deal.
Could the Lakers be the ones to reward him for his superstar-like play? If the cap space is there, there’s no question Magic would be blowing up Butler’s agent’s phone when the moratorium period began.
Butler would give Los Angeles a dynamic talent at the 2, providing both elite scoring and defending abilities. Unless they find another capable starter to fill the role between now and 2019 free agency, the Timberwolves’ newest star would be a terrific fit alongside Ball.
Russell Westbrook, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder
When he’ll be available: Free agent in 2018 (player option) or 2019
At this moment, the Oklahoma City Thunder are hoping beyond hope that they can re-sign Russell Westbrook to a super max deal (via the Norman Transcript). The reigning MVP has proven himself to be a bonafide superstar since Kevin Durant‘s departure, so losing Westbrook as well would be a death sentence for this club.
That, however, doesn’t mean he won’t consider the possibilities. Westbrook would be the most sought-after commodity if he hits the open market. He’d essentially have his pick of any franchise willing to dish out max money, and there would be plenty. One of them would undoubtedly be the Lakers.
Much like Thompson, there will be some geographical appeal on Westbrook’s end. He’s a Long Beach native who played his college ball at UCLA. Los Angeles is essentially home to Westbrook, so the chance to be the star of the show for the Lakers has to be somewhat intriguing to him.
That is, if he’s willing to turn down boatloads of cash. The Thunder can offer him more money and an extra year with the aforementioned super max. Is bailing for a better city or team really worth leaving that type of money and security on the table?
It’s anyone’s guess right now as to what Westbrook will decide. If, by some miracle, he hits the open market, the Lakers will absolutely be among the first teams to pitch him on being their new face of the franchise.
Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Antonio Spurs
When he’ll be available: Free agent in 2019 (player option) or 2020
Another option for the Lakers, and another Southern California native. The returning home narrative is all too prominent in today’s NBA, so you can likely understand why I keep pointing out these possible ties between Los Angeles and the highlighted superstars.
Kawhi Leonard was born in Los Angeles, and spent his college career at San Diego State, which lies not too far south. Although he’s seemed like a perfect fit for Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs, there’s no telling what he’ll want if/when he becomes a free agent.
If he opens the door for another team to woo him, the Lakers have to jump at the opportunity. He’s arguably the best young talent in the NBA right now, and continues to get better each and every year. Leonard is everything the Lakers wish they had in a two-way wing right now, so signing him would obviously be a dream come true.
At this point, though, it’s looking like Leonard will be a Spur for life. His playing style and personality are exactly what Popovich wants in his star player. In San Antonio, he’s playing for an annual contender that makes an effort every offseason to improve.
The odds are long he ever reaches the open market. The Lakers would be busting down his door, though, if for some strange reason he made himself available.
LeBron James, SF, Cleveland Cavaliers
When he’ll be available: Free agent in 2018 (player option) or 2019
Despite all of the smoke we’ve been seeing, this one is still wildly ambitious. The Lakers haven’t had much luck with luring free agents, so what makes them think they can land the league’s best player?
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It’s not like the Lakers are one piece away from contending. They’re going to need another significant overhaul next offseason to convince LeBron James they can take down the Warriors. Even with George in the mix, it’s no guarantee that a LeBron-PG-13 duo can get the job done.
Yet here we are, talking about LeBron to the Lakers like it’s a done deal. There’s still a lot that can happen between now and next offseason. The Cleveland Cavaliers could turn things around. Even with the current Kyrie Irving fiasco, they could find a way to keep this team competitive in 2017-18. It may even be enough to convince James to stay for a while.
Or he could jump ship and decide to take his talents somewhere other than Los Angeles. The Houston Rockets are looking like an intriguing landing spot for the modern era’s best baller. Either way, he’s going to have options outside of the Lakers. Even if they are his top priority, is Magic willing to spend exorbitant amounts of money to get James on the backend of his career?
All of these questions aside, the Lakers would love to have LeBron. It truly is as simple as that. Even at 32 years of age, he’s still among the best players in the world. He’d bring in insane amounts of revenue for this franchise, while providing them a clear-cut path to the playoffs.
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If he’s willing to talk, James will likely get anything he asks for out of Magic and the Lakers.