Los Angeles Lakers: Short term vs long term goals

The Los Angeles Lakers just had their most productive free agency in years, but what’s next for the team?

Los Angeles signed four-time MVP LeBron James to kick off free agency. Not a bad way start your summer.

Los Angeles then followed up by signing role players such as JaVale McGee, Lance Stephenson, Rajon Rondo and Michael Beasley. Although these players are not necessarily sharpshooters, they add grit to the team.

Paul George was also in the plans for Los Angeles but the Oklahoma City Thunder retained the five-time All-Star.

Most NBA fans can acknowledge that this summer was a successful one for Los Angeles simply because they signed the greatest player in the world. For Los Angeles’ front office, answering the question of ‘what’s next?’ will be important.

Short term

It’s vital for Los Angeles to approach this season with minimal expectations, other than having a more successful season than last year. As I’ve mentioned in the past, discovering a team identity will be crucial for the future of this team. The style of play they will seek to have determines future signings and/or trades.

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Also in the short-term, development of the young talent will be crucial. Will Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart take a step towards stardom?

Head coach Luke Walton has a very important task ahead which is to coach James. This isn’t a bad thing, but the reality is Walton will need to grow with the 14-time All-Star in order to understand how best to coach him.

This is an exciting time for Lakers Nation. The best part about it is that it’s only just getting started.

Long-term

Next summer will almost be as important as this summer for Los Angeles. Once the 2018-2019 season ends, Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka will get a feel of which players are necessary to target in free agency.

Kawhi Leonard will more than likely be one of them. Of course, you never know if Leonard will want to stay put in Toronto, but it currently doesn’t affect Los Angeles’ 2019 summer goals.

There will be a lot of talent available next summer such as DeMarcus Cousins, Jimmy Butler, Kevin Durant and the list goes on.

It seems as though Leonard would be second to only one player on L.A.’s list of free agents they desire to sign. That number one free agent is Klay Thompson.

Signing Thompson would offer Los Angeles a “two birds, one stone” scenario by weakening the Golden State Warriors and adding the three-time champion to their roster.

Let’s put it this way, L.A. wasn’t willing to give up the majority of their young core for Leonard in previous trade discussions held with the San Antonio Spurs. If Ingram puts up even better numbers this year, maybe then Leonard won’t be such a high priority for Los Angeles.

Once L.A. feels it has put together a championship caliber team, the goal will then be to win and maintain a dynasty just like they have in the past.