The recent signing of Dwyane Wade in Cleveland and Russell Westbrook’s extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder could represent a problem for the Los Angeles Lakers’ future free agent plans.
Since the Los Angeles Lakers tabbed Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka to take over the front office with a clear project in mind, they made no secret of their intention to preserve cap space. Their goal is to go all in next offseason when free agents like LeBron James and Paul George will be available on the market.
It was so clear that they fell under investigation and got fined for tampering accusation following the Paul George case.
The Lakers made the first step towards their objective by offloading Timofey Mozgov’s contract at the cost of D’Angelo Russell. They definitely have an eye on doing the same with Luol Deng by next season in order to have all the necessary cap space to implement their plans.
Based on rumors that LeBron would be leaving Cleveland for Los Angeles and reports that George would have been hell-bent on joining his hometown team after forgoing the final year of his contract, everything looked to be falling in place for Magic Johnson, as he prepares to relaunch the Lakers in the post-Kobe era.
But recent developments could stand in his way.
Desperate to get something in return for the noncommittal George, the Pacers traded him to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a bag of peanuts, sending him to join MVP Russell Westbrook without giving any certainty to re-sign beyond this season.
Later, Sam Presti took advantage of the new edition of the ‘Melo Drama’ in New York, coming up with a trade to get the disappointed Carmelo Anthony to form a big three with Westbrook and George.
More from Lakers Free Agency
- Lakers have excellent new option for final roster spot thanks to Spurs
- Lakers signing newly-available key role player just became more likely
- 3 biggest offseason successes for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2023
- Lakers’ plan B for Christian Wood is obvious after latest free agency activity
- Spurs gift Lakers ideal D’Angelo Russell insurance plan for 15th roster spot
A few days ago, Westbrook also signed a $205 million extension which will keep him in Oklahoma City through 2023.
It looks like in the wake of these events Paul George could be changing his mind. He stated that Westbrook’s extension will ‘absolutely’ factor into his decision on his own future next summer and when free agency comes, the decision will be easier to make for himself.
If the Thunder had a good enough season, let’s say, to convince Anthony to opt in his final year of his contract, could they be in a good position to keep George in Oklahoma City?
In the other conference, in the meantime, shooting guard Dwayne Wade recently reached a buyout with the Chicago Bulls and opted to join the ever-contending Cleveland Cavaliers to re-join his friend LeBron James. He accepted a veteran minimum contract to fight for another chance at the title.
Despite the loss of Kyrie Irving, the Cavs look great, full of talent and ready to make another run at the NBA Championship. Odds of winning the title are against them with the reigning champions Golden State Warriors still around the league, but they could put up a good fight.
James has never made reference to his future, so we do not know what his real thoughts are, but truth is that a good run at the championship plus the chance to keep his old pal Wade at his side could convince James to stay in Cleveland on the long term and keep challenging the Warriors in the NBA Finals.
Anyway, if he remains unsatisfied with the Cavaliers’ shortcomings, and decides to go to Los Angeles for business or whatever other reason, maybe he could cause a domino effect that brings George to L.A. regardless of the OKC influence.
Next: 10 Greatest Free Agent Signings In Lakers History
At this point, things are cloudier than ever and forecasts are hard to be made before seeing how this season unfolds. The Lakers have to do what is in their power, for now, which is having a good year to convince those big free agents that it is worth coming to Los Angeles to build something special.