Los Angeles Lakers: 3 things fans can be thankful for this Thanksgiving
By Jason Elbaum
1. The Lakers may have enough cap flexibility to sign two superstar players in the summer of 2018
Even despite Luol Deng’s awful contract, the Lakers have done an excellent job putting themselves in position to win the LeBron James sweepstakes next summer and if they can move Deng and a couple of role players, may have room to add another superstar too. With the likes of Paul George, DeMarcus Cousins, and Chris Paul expected to hit the market, the Lakers could assemble a super team capable of raising another banner.
Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka will have some difficult decisions to make with team options available for Tyler Ennis, Ivica Zubac and Thomas Bryant. They’ll have to weigh the young talent that these players have provided the team with the salary that the Lakers could use to acquire a veteran player that might mesh better with their new superstar.
After these decisions are made, it’ll be up to the team to make strong pitches to the players as to why they should come to Los Angeles. It is certainly not a foregone conclusion that a superstar is coming. The team botched its meeting with LaMarcus Aldridge and Kevin Durant did not even want to sit down with Lakers executives.
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However, the team finally looks poised to build the group that will bring the Lakers back to relevancy. Laker fans can continue to enjoy this year’s team, but can also be thankful that brighter days are ahead.