The Los Angeles Lakers have been hoarding cap space for the last year with the hopes of signing a max free agent this summer, but what should the front office do if they can’t land a superstar?
The Los Angeles Lakers have over $40 million to spend this offseason on what they hope will be a game-changing summer. Lakers fans around the world hope that the Purple and Gold will transform from the worst team over the last six seasons to a championship contender.
The biggest reason why supporters of the Purple and Gold feel optimistic about LA’s chances of flipping the organization around so quickly is because there will be eight max free agents available this summer, and the constant cycle of rumors that run through the major outlets foretell that the Lakers have a great chance of signing one of them.
Here are the best free agents available during the summer of 2019:
- Kevin Durant
- Kawhi Leonard
- Kyrie Irving
- Klay Thompson
- Jimmy Butler
- Tobias Harris
- Kemba Walker
- Nikola Vucevic
What if Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving pair up in New York?
Then, what if Kawhi Leonard, fresh off a finals appearance with Toronto, decides to stay in Canada?
Then, what if Klay Thompson re-signs with Golden State, Tobias Harris stays in Philadelphia, Kemba Walker decides he likes living in Charlotte and re-ups with them, and Nikola Vucevic chooses Orlando over LA?
Finally, what if the Clippers offer Jimmy Butler a 4-year max contract and he accepts it?
If no superstar caliber player signs with LA, then Lakers fans will be crushed, but not all hope will be lost. Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss will have three options available during the offseason, but one is clearly better than the others.