Los Angeles Lakers: 3 big-name targets before 2018 trade deadline

The Los Angeles Lakers still have maneuvering to do before their 2018 free agency spending spree. These three big-name players could emerge as targets during their preparation for next offseason.

The next year could lead the Los Angeles Lakers down two very different paths.

Down one road, wins and championships await. Down the other, a continued state of mediocrity. There’s this lingering sense that the Lakers will take the former road with Magic Johnson at the helm, but it’s anyone’s guess at this point with so many what-ifs still looming large.

Instead of waiting until 2018 free agency for their fate to be decided, though, the Lakers could take a more proactive approach. By that, I mean they could look to aggressively pursue change in the form of a trade. There’s plenty of talent to be had out there — it just takes a shot-caller willing to make a deal.

Luckily for Los Angeles, Johnson appears to be that type of fearless leader. He took control of this team back in February, and has already restored hope for one of the NBA’s most storied franchises. Fans are excited, the media is talking and players from around the league are being rumored as ready to jump on the bandwagon.

The future seems bright for the Lakers, but we’ve all heard this song before.

Related Story: Lakers' wildly ambitious FA targets in next 3 years

For now, let’s focus on the damage that can be done between now and the 2018 trade deadline. Here are three big-name players the Lakers could hypothetically look to acquire between now and Feb. 8.