Los Angeles Lakers: Biggest NBA free agency whiffs in recent memory

The Los Angeles Lakers could be headed for disappointment during 2018 NBA free agency. It wouldn’t be the first time they whiffed on big names they were considered contenders for, though.

For so long, the Los Angeles Lakers were one of the premier destinations for top NBA free agents. Every offseason it seemed, all of the league’s stars at least had Hollywood on their short list of potential landing spots. Then, it all went south.

Suddenly, after several championships, some poor personnel decisions and a very expensive contract extension for an aging Kobe Bryant, the Lakers found themselves between a rock and a hard place. The stars stopped coming, the win totals began to shrink and Los Angeles had quickly fallen out of contention.

As those years of ineptitude dragged on, the Lakers fruitlessly attempted to lure in the NBA’s best free agents. Meeting after meeting, players were pitched on joining the Lake Show with little to no success. By the end of the 2016 offseason, it looked like all was lost for one of the league’s most storied franchises.

Then, things began to turn around. The Lakers got rid of Jim Buss, allowing Magic Johnson to take the reins. A couple of quality draft picks later, they’re now on the verge of being a respectable club again. So much so that they’re now legitimately in the hunt for a number of superstar free agents set to hit the market come July 1.

Related Story: Other big-name free agents Lakers must consider

We must remember, though, that dark days lie not too far in the past. As we move toward a brighter future for the Lakers, it’s imperative to keep things in perspective. It’s been a bumpy road back to relevance, and a few free agency whiffs exemplified that.

Let’s look at a few of the worst ones in recent memory, and remind ourselves that nothing should be taken for granted when it comes to pursuing top talent like LeBron James or Paul George.