Los Angeles Lakers: Grading free agency thus far and potential moves

EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 26: Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers helps introduce 2018 NBA draft pick Moritz Wagner during an introductory press conference at the UCLA Health Training Center on June 26, 2018 in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 26: Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers helps introduce 2018 NBA draft pick Moritz Wagner during an introductory press conference at the UCLA Health Training Center on June 26, 2018 in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

The Los Angeles Lakers have made a mark during free agency thus far, making themselves relevant again but how far will these signings take them for next season and beyond.

The Los Angeles Lakers are off to a hot start in free agency thus far by adding the biggest fish in the pond and the greatest player in the world in LeBron James.

That set the NBA landscape on fire and began a flurry of free agency signings, including the Lakers. They began to start building the team around James for the next era of Laker basketball.

It all started with Magic Johnson and the vision he has with the purple and gold. He made a guarantee that he would get this team back on track within two years or he would step down as president of basketball operations immediately. So far, he’s done a pretty good job Lakers fans would say.

With an eye on the present and future of the Los Angeles Lakers getting back on track to winning more games and getting back to the playoffs and back to once again winning championships, let’s go through the free agent signings thus far and go through some potential moves before training camp begins.

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Adding the best player in the game

As mentioned in the beginning, the Lakers set the NBA on fire when LeBron James announced that he will leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for a second time to bring his talents to Hollywood.

This signing alone will immediately bring the Lakers back in the fold as one of the best teams in the league for the first time since 2010.

What’s interesting here is the fact that James decided to sign a long-term deal instead of the usual short-term deal. It’s a four-year deal worth just about $154 million.

That means that Magic Johnson got James to buy into the program and believe in what Magic Johnson is selling in the future. That’s big time as this means that James will likely end his career with the Lakers.

On the court, James will add the veteran leadership to the young talent that the Lakers have on the roster. He will help develop and make better the games of Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and Lonzo Ball among others.

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