The Los Angeles Lakers biggest immediate concern is making the playoffs. However, the future of the franchise may depend on signing a star player this summer.
About a year ago, Magic Johnson promised that he’d bring two All-Star quality players to the Los Angeles Lakers over the next two years. And if he didn’t, he’d resign his position as Lakers President of Basketball Operations.
Last summer he signed the first, free agent LeBron James. As we all know, he was unsuccessful in his recent attempts to trade for Anthony Davis, who would have been the second. This summer everyone knows Magic will be swinging for the fences to make good on his pledge.
Fortunately, there could be more available stars than at any time in recent memory. The names of many have been mentioned as possible targets. Which do the Lakers have the best chance at landing? Let’s take a look at each one:
1. Anthony Davis – Under contract until summer 2020
After AD informed the Pelicans he would not be re-signing with them next summer, New Orleans is forced to trade him now so they get something in return. Even though Magic offered most of the team’s best players other than LeBron prior to the recent trade deadline, the Pels still turned him down. Will the Lakers have a better chance of success this summer?
New Orleans just fired its general manager, Dell Demps, and replaced him with Danny Ferry, at least on an interim basis. Whether Ferry looks more favorably at any of the trade packages that Magic offered has not been publicly disclosed.
But what is known is that Boston will be eligible to trade for Davis after July 1st, and that their GM, Danny Ainge, who’s armed with a bundle of draft picks and young players, is drooling over the opportunity.
In addition, the draft lottery on May 14th will determine the order of selection. If the Pelicans are particularly interested in a player such as Duke’s Zion Williamson, the projected top selection, the team with the #1 pick becomes a strong contender in the Davis trade sweepstakes. Speculation is already running wild in New York that the Knicks might be able to land AD.
The Pels are wise to carefully consider all offers and do what’s best for them, not Davis. But they are more likely than not to follow in the footsteps of Indiana and San Antonio, who traded their disgruntled stars, respectively Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, to the other conference.
Overall, the Lakers are no longer the front-runner to acquire Davis, at least not this summer. They might have a better chance in the summer of 2020 when he’ll be eligible for opt for free agency. But that’s outside the scope of Magic’s promise.
Prediction: AD will be traded to either Boston or an Eastern Conference team that lands a high draft pick