The Los Angeles Lakers were able to break through and remain competitive throughout most of their 2017-18 campaign but this team is in no position to get complacent just yet.
Though rookie Lonzo Ball showed flashes of All-Star talent last season and other young pieces such as Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle made stark improvements to their game, the Lakers are still looking to pursue some free agents this summer. And not just any free agents, but superstars LeBron James and Paul George. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers remain interested in both James and George and their plans to pursue them this summer have not changed.
“The Lakers plan hasn’t changed. They want to get both of them."
– @wojespn on Lakers going after Lebron & Paul George
— ESPNLosAngeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) April 19, 2018
"They want a championship contender and that’s going to take a lot of good fortune in free agency to be able to get both those guys [LeBron & Paul George]. Either of those players certainly transforms your team."
– @wojespn on Lakers Free Agency
— ESPNLosAngeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) April 19, 2018
Lebron James and Paul George are both set to hit the free agent market once the clock hits midnight on July 1st. Both will have no shortage of suitors, and the Lakers are the one team the two have in common. Always engaged in looking for the next available superstar, the Lakers have been linked to James on multiple occasions now and when George stated he would love to return to LA after this season, the rumors gained traction.
That being said, both can also return to their respective teams for another run at a title next season. A lot of that will likely depend on how these NBA playoffs unfold as both currently find themselves in the midst of tough, first-round series but have championship aspirations.
George has expressed his loyalty to OKC all season but the chances of him going to LA as he said he would, has certainly been lingering in the back of everyone’s mind. An LA native, George would likely make more sense and be the better fit than LeBron on this budding Lakers roster.
There is no doubt the Lakers will be in the Lebron James and Paul George sweepstakes, the question is how serious of a contender they will be. Both may very well just stay put but even if they do decide to test the market, joining an unproven Lakers team instead of a bonafide contender such as the Rockets or 76ers remains a longshot.
