Can the Los Angeles Lakers convince the big named free agents to join the team in free agency?
The Los Angeles Lakers sent shockwaves through the fanbase when they traded D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov for Brook Lopez and the draft rights to Kyle Kuzma. The move allowed the Lakers to preserve cap space but cost them a talented young player in Russell.
What has many Lakers fans concerned is how Magic Johnson has put all of his eggs into the free agency basket. The Lakers have infamously struck out on big name free agents in recent years with LaMarcus Aldridge, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwight Howard to name a few.
With the team striking out in free agency every year why should Lakers fans trust that this new front office regime will get the job done? Here I will discuss what needs to happen in order for big name free agents to seriously consider playing for the Lakers.
Stars Must Emerge
If there’s one thing stars want these days it is to play with other star players. While the Lakers boast a talented young core built around Lonzo Ball, Julius Randle, and Brandon Ingram, those three are still scratching the surface of their immense potential.
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The young core will have to make some large strides next season if they are to command the attention of free agents. Ingram showed how special he could be in his summer league debut. Meanwhile, Randle is entering a contract year and should be gearing up for a breakout season.
If Ball, Randle, and Ingram can show that they are on the path to stardom next season it would certainly grab the attention of free agents around the league.
Winning
Another main reason why stars leave their teams is to play for a team that will give them a better chance at winning. In my opinion, the Lakers must make the playoffs next season to prove to free agents that they can win.
While that may seem like a long shot to many, it is actually much more reasonable than one might think. The Lakers added All-Star big man Brook Lopez along with the dynamic Kentavious Caldwell-Pope this summer; both should have excellent seasons playing for the purple and gold.
The Lakers also possess phenomenal depth with Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr., and Kyle Kuzma coming off the bench. Combine that depth with the star potential of the Lakers’ young core has and that is a team that should see significant improvements in the win column next season.
Do you Believe in Magic?
I think it’s safe to say that the old front office regime under Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak was dysfunctional. Jim and Mitch liked to keep secrets and did not have the most open line of communication with Head Coach Luke Walton and controlling owner Jeannie Buss.
That dysfunction likely played a part in the Lakers’ failure to attract marquee free agents over the years. However, under the leadership of Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka, there are no stones left un-turned. Magic keeps an open line of communication between himself, Pelinka, Walton, and Jeannie Buss to make sure that everybody is on the same page at all times.
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The combination of a promising young core, a winning culture, and a stable front office should be able to get the Lakers a meeting with Paul George and DeMarcus Cousins next summer. If Magic truly is Magic he will be able to lure one or both superstars to the franchise with a stellar sales pitch using his trademark charisma.