Now in possession of the cap space needed for two max contracts, the Los Angeles Lakers could see their dreams come true during 2018 NBA free agency.
Coming as a surprise to no one, the Los Angeles Lakers are considered one of the top players for big names set to be available during 2018 NBA free agency. At the same time, it’s unclear whether or not any of these big-name players actually want to join Magic Johnson in Hollywood.
Then again, anything can happen. Most of the top names set to be available this offseason have player options, which more often than not aren’t exercised. Still, even if a handful of these players hit the open market, it’s going to be up to the Lakers to convince them they should be wearing purple and gold during the 2018-19 campaign.
So instead of being pessimistic, I’ve decided to use my imagination. The Lakers are looking like a team on the rise with a few superstars in the making. With Magic at the helm, Lonzo Ball serving as the star of the show and plenty of money to spend, Los Angeles will certainly be a more intriguing destination than it was a year ago.
In this situation, I’m overlooking money, player desire and potential re-signings. This is all about the ideal for the Lakers.
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With a speculative eye towards the future, let’s take a look at some “dream” targets for the Lakers. I know landing some of these guys is more realistic than others, but that doesn’t mean we can’t play the “what if” game. Don’t take it too seriously — just use your imagination.
5. Avery Bradley, SG, Los Angeles Clippers
Last offseason, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was signed to be a standout 3-and-D talent for the Lakers. As we’ve all seen through the first few months of the season, he’s failed to live up to expectations and the $18 million price tag he came with.
However, if the Lakers still want a 3-and-D star — and a better one than KCP — they should go after Avery Bradley. The newest Los Angeles Clippers star is set to hit the market come July, at which point there will be plenty of suitors blowing up his agent’s phone.
Why? Because he’s the prototypical 3-and-D talent who is one of the best two-way players in the NBA. Not only is he a lockdown defender on the wing, but he is more than capable of lighting it up in the scoring department. Honestly, it’s surprising the Clippers couldn’t find a taker for him ahead of the trade deadline.
Either way, the Lakers would love to make a run at signing him in an ideal world. He can step in as the new starting 2-guard, bringing some consistency and elite defense to a lineup that could use plenty more of both.
Bradley is going to cost a pretty penny this upcoming offseason. If money wasn’t an issue, though, the Lakers would gladly give him whatever contract he wanted.
4. Jabari Parker, PF, Milwaukee Bucks
I know what you’re thinking — why would the Lakers want a player whose knees are made of glass? Jabari Parker has torn his ACL twice since entering the league, and just barely returned to the court for the Milwaukee Bucks. Is he really worth the price of admission?
Well, two things there. First, this is a dream scenario, so the money aspect of it really doesn’t matter. Second, this is Parker we’re talking about. He was a phenom coming out of college, and would likely be a superstar at this point in his career if it weren’t for the two tears in his left knee.
If the Lakers let Julius Randle walk this offseason, they’re going to need more options at power forward. Yes, They have Kyle Kuzma, but they also just traded away Larry Nance Jr. to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Kuzma and a rookie or cheap veteran signing isn’t going to get the job done moving forward.
Parker, however, brings elite potential to the mix. He’s a proven playmaker who can score in bunches while also providing excellent value on the defensive end. He may not be the electric athlete that Andrew Wiggins was coming into the 2014 NBA Draft, but Parker has his own unique skill-set that makes him a nightmare for defenders.
Would Los Angeles really pass on that type of upside? I find it hard to believe they would if the financials weren’t an issue. There’s also the whole part about him being a restricted free agent, but for our purposes, who cares? Throw out a big offer and see if the Bucks are willing to match.
3. Clint Capela, C, Houston Rockets
I don’t understand how Clint Capela is still such an underrated asset for the Houston Rockets. Seriously, the kid is one of the most dominant centers in the league, but seems to get overlooked because he isn’t a huge offensive threat. There’s more to basketball than scoring.
As we’ve seen this season, Capela is a monster in the paint. Whether he’s performing his best Windex impression or protecting the rim, the Rockets’ rising star seems to always be making his presence felt. Even if he were to take his talents elsewhere, that would continue to be the case.
That’s why the Lakers would love to have Capela. The only problem is that he’s a restricted free agent this offseason, meaning Houston can match any offer he receives. Unless they run into financials issues that make them hesitant to re-sign him, Capela will be staying in Texas to help James Harden and co. contend for a ring.
Still, seeing as this is a dream scenario, the Lakers could hypothetically make a run at him. They have the cap space to offer Capela a max contract. If they were convinced he’s the missing piece to the puzzle, they could go hard for the Swiss center.
It’s not like Ivica Zubac or Thomas Bryant is a future superstar. Capela, on the other hand, appears to already be at that point in his NBA career, even if the average fan isn’t aware of it.
2. Paul George, SF, Oklahoma City Thunder
Here he is — the one all Lakers fans are hoping will sign in a few months. Paul George has been mentioned as one of the team’s top targets for some time. Now it all comes down to this offseason to determine what the future holds for PG-13.
Will he decide to stick with the Oklahoma City Thunder? There’s a decent chance that’ll be the case, but it could very well come down to their success (or lack thereof) during the playoffs. If he becomes available in July, other teams are very likely to enter the mix as well. In the end, though, the Lakers seem like the team to beat for his services.
They’ve got the hometown aspect on their side. They’ve got plenty of spending power, and an exciting band of young stars to help his cause. George would surely thrive in Los Angeles, potentially even returning the Lakers to contender status overnight.
Magic hasn’t been busy creating cap space for nothing. George is one of the franchise’s top targets in 2018. They’ll pull out all of the stops to woo the dominant two-way player. It’s going to be hard for him to say no when all is said and done.
I wouldn’t book it just yet. However, it would be a dream come true for the Lakers if George donned the purple and gold in the very near future.
1. LeBron James, SF, Cleveland Cavaliers
Now if we want to talk about dreams, look no further than Lakers fans’ love affair with the faint possibility of signing LeBron James this offseason. Every rumor is dissected with ridiculous precision, and yet nobody knows what the future may hold for the King.
So let’s imagine the hysteria that would ensue after he announced he’d be coming to Los Angeles. It would immediately turn this team into one worth taking seriously, especially with their slew of young playmakers. Then, if they managed to get someone like George as well, the result would likely be celebratory riots in the streets of L.A.
There are a number of hurdles to clear before that happens, though.
First, LeBron has to decide to turn his back on the Cleveland Cavaliers again. He’s already done so once, and then came back to fulfill a promise of bringing a title to his hometown team. Depending on how things go following the Cavaliers’ frenzy of moves at the trade deadline, it may be difficult for James to leave again.
Then there’s the whole part about convincing him Los Angeles should be his new home. Even if LeBron gives up on the Cavaliers, there’s no guarantee the Lakers are his only other consideration. Teams like the Rockets or Golden State Warriors could potentially make a run at him if the right pieces fell into place.
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In this dream scenario, though, let’s just imagine him wearing a black, snake-skinned No. 23 jersey this time next year. It seems like a crazy concept, but stranger things have happened in the NBA.