There’s no denying that the Lakers are set on making a push for Paul George and LeBron James this summer, but what if things don’t go according to plan? Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus recently broke down the club’s alternative options if one or both of those stars decide against a move to Los Angeles.
If James decides not to sign with the Lakers, it’s expected that the franchise will continue to make a push for George. What the team would do with its second max slot in that scenario remains to be seen, however. Given that the next-best reasonably available options could be an injured DeMarcus Cousins and DeAndre Jordan, the Lakers may opt hold onto their cap space until the summer of 2019 in that situation.
If neither of the two sign in L.A., the Lakers would almost inevitably have to hold onto their cap space until the summer of 2019 when players like Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker hit the market.
If the latter happens, the Lakers will need to be tactful in how they manage players like Isaiah Thomas, Julius Randle and Brook Lopez, all set to have their contracts expire at the end of June.
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Although he won’t hit free agency until the summer of 2019, Warriors guard Klay Thompson has every intention of remaining with Golden State, Mark Medina of the Mercury News writes. “Anything I can do to stay with the Warriors is first and foremost. God willing, it happens. If not, I don’t even think about that,” Thompson said.
- If a player needs to be convinced to play for the franchise and carry on the Lakers legacy, they’re not the right person for the job, Kobe Bryant said. The Hall of Fame-bound shooting guard discussed his role in recruiting free agents for the only franchise he ever played for with ESPN’s Jalen Rose.
- Since the new year, Suns rookie Josh Jackson has averaged 16.1 points per game. That’s a notable increase from the 9.0 he averaged through the first three months of his NBA career. Bryan Kalbrosky of HoopsHype recently shed light on the Kansas product’s in-season improvement.
Very logical reasons to deny it. Not many to insist on it. With the wings the Lakers have it makes a ton more sense to go after Lebron James and Demarcus Cousins.
I don’t see the Lakers signing either.
I think it’s PG this year only, and a couple of one year high dollar contracts to leave space for 2019.
So whats the lineup?
Ball-George-Ingram-Kuzma-Zubac?
Assuming Randle, and Caldwell-Pope don’t re-sign? I think a better lineup would be
Ball-Hart-Ingram-Randle-Cousins
KCP is going to get paid more than the Lakers want to spend on him. If they manage to land PG13 and nobody else, I expect them to sign Randle long-term and possibly Lopez to a 1-yr.
Very interested to see how the market for Boogie shapes up with such a large looming injury.
Ball, Hart, Ingram, Cousins, DJordan or
Ball, A. Bradley, Ingram, Randle, Cousins or
Ball, Bradley, Ingram, J. Parker, Cousins or
Ball, Hart, Ingram, Parker, Cousins or
Ball, Bradley, Ingram, Cousins, Noel
Pg 13 please, LeBron No!