Los Angeles Lakers: Free agent alternatives if Paul George re-signs with Thunder

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.