Following the acquisition of Carmelo Anthony, the Oklahoma City Thunder appear to be in good position to re-sign Paul George in 2018. If that happens, what other players could the Los Angeles Lakers pursue in free agency?
The Oklahoma City Thunder made another huge offseason splash on Saturday, making a trade for superstar Carmelo Anthony. While it’s a great move for Billy Donovan and co., it puts a damper on the Los Angeles Lakers‘ future free agency plans.
The thought has always been that the Lakers would sign Paul George during 2018 free agency, bringing the elite two-way wing back to his old stomping grounds. However, some have speculated that he could decide to re-sign with the Thunder if they make a real run at a championship this season.
It already seemed plausible with Russell Westbrook, the reigning MVP, alongside George. With Anthony now in the mix, Oklahoma City has its own bonkers Big Three that’s going to be difficult to deny. They’ve suddenly emerged as contenders in the West, making it a real possibility that PG-13 decides to stay put and see how things play out with the Thunder.
If that’s that case, the Lakers need a backup plan. They’ve been saving/creating future cap space in the hopes of signing a superstar or two next offseason. With George potentially out of the picture (which could also make Westbrook unavailable), they’ll need to look for another player to spend an exorbitant amount of money on.
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That’s why we’re here today — to look at potential alternatives for the Lakers if George remains with the Thunder. I’m sure Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka have a plan, but let’s flesh it out a bit and examine a few options for when 2018 NBA free agency arrives in July.
Keep in mind that I kept my options limited to wings since they’d hypothetically be filling the role that George would have.
Gary Harris, SG, Denver Nuggets
An obscure option, I know — especially compared to the other two names on this list. However, Gary Harris deserves your consideration as a potential target for the Lakers during 2018 free agency.
Harris, the Denver Nuggets’ starting shooting guard, is a restricted free agent next offseason. While it would seem likely that the team will look to re-sign him, another suitor looking to make a splash could go for broke and offer him a max contract. Considering the Nuggets’ current financial situation, it may be difficult for them to match.
The Lakers could be one of those splash-desiring teams. They have plenty of cap space to throw around, and will likely need a new shooting guard seeing as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has the feel of a one-year rental. Honestly, even if they were interested in keeping KCP, I believe Harris is a better long-term investment.
The former No. 19 overall selection has blossomed in the last couple of seasons. The Nuggets have watched him emerge as one of the most exciting young two-way 2 guards in the NBA. Not only is he a budding scorer, but he possesses the defensive chops to lock down some of the best wings from around the league.
His candidacy to join the Lakers depends on how much the Nuggets are comfortable ponying up to keep him. If they do decide that he isn’t worth a deal $20 million annually, Harris could absolutely be on Los Angeles’ radar in 2018.
Kevin Durant, SF, Golden State Warriors
Boom! Can you imagine a Lakers lineup that features players like Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and… Kevin Durant!? Seems like a dream, but I believe the odds of it happening are slightly more favorable than most think.
Let’s look at Durant’s history. He says he’s happy with the Golden State Warriors, and that makes plenty of sense considering they helped him win his first NBA title. However, as we’ve seen before, he’s not exactly the most loyal of players. When he hit free agency in 2016, most folks assumed it would be either the Thunder or his hometown Washington Wizards who got the call.
Instead, he bailed for the opportunity to play for a true contender. The results were tremendous, as he got that elusive ring and a Finals MVP award to go along with it. So what happens if he adds another ring to his collection in 2018? Will the itch officially be scratched?
It’s possible. And if that’s the case, the Lakers need to swoop in and show him how life would be in Los Angeles. Plenty of opportunities for marketing and branding. The opportunity to play with one of the NBA’s best young facilitators (who he apparently admires, via the Ringer). A chance to learn from Magic, one of the all-time greats.
Things have changed in Los Angeles. This is no longer the Lakers team we’ve seen the last few years. Free agents will take notice when they’re ready to spend. If there’s any indication KD is available, you better believe Johnson will be blowing up his agent’s phone.
LeBron James, SF, Cleveland Cavaliers
This one was obvious, right? For the last few months, there’s been an unrelenting onslaught of speculation regarding LeBron James potentially joining the Lake Show. It may seem like a pipe dream to some, but the window of opportunity is absolutely open.
As mentioned with Durant, James knows about all of the perks of playing in Los Angeles. The off-court opportunities are endless, and working with a guy like Magic can be a budding businessman’s dream. He also has a home there, talks about the city all the time, blah blah blah. We’ve heard it all before, and we’re sure to hear it again between now and July.
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Let’s take the latest rumors for example. According to Peter Vecsey (H/T HoopsHype), LeBron will “unequivocally” leave the Cleveland Cavaliers and join the Lakers in 2018. It’s a bold statement that definitely feels premature seeing as the season hasn’t even started. And yet, it’s another large, billboard-sized sign that suggests it’s not entirely out of the question.
So let’s imagine a scenario in which James does test the waters. Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert again throws a temper tantrum, and LeBron smirks throughout his entire flight to LA to meet with Magic. The two strike a deal, and James becomes the new savior of the Lakers.
It’s a storybook ending (or nightmare, based on your allegiances) for LeBron, who gets to save one of the NBA’s premier franchises before riding off into the sunset. It also helps him personally, as I’m sure Johnson will promise to support him in whatever business venture he asks if the King puts pen to paper.
Next: 5 Bold predictions for Lakers' 2017-18 season
Regardless of what George decides, James will certainly be hearing from the Lakers when he becomes a free agent. I’m sure Magic and Pelinka are already planning their pitch.