Lakers recalibrating their focus on a 2019 free agent class
Pushing back a year on big-game hunting in free agency could serve two purposes
The Los Angeles Lakers are recalibrating their focus on the 2019 free agency.
The class of 2019 includes Kawhi Leonard, Klay Thompson and Jimmy Butler.
Per ESPN, The belief has been that the Lakers were cutting an unapologetic path to salary cap freedom for two maximum contract slots this July, clearing the way toward a pursuit of superstars like Cleveland's LeBron James, Oklahoma City's Paul George and New Orleans' DeMarcus Cousins.
Pushing back a year on big-game hunting in free agency could serve two purposes: It could alleviate the urgency to unload contracts at Thursday's trade deadline and around the June NBA draft that could require the Lakers to attach future draft assets as incentives, and it could allow the Lakers' talented young core -- including Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart -- to further develop and become more attractive for veteran stars to join.
While the Lakers could still move Jordan Clarkson or Julius Randle or both players before Thursday's trade deadline, one league source put the chances of a meaningful trade at "50-50 at best."
The class of 2019 includes Kawhi Leonard, Klay Thompson and Jimmy Butler.
Per ESPN, The belief has been that the Lakers were cutting an unapologetic path to salary cap freedom for two maximum contract slots this July, clearing the way toward a pursuit of superstars like Cleveland's LeBron James, Oklahoma City's Paul George and New Orleans' DeMarcus Cousins.
Pushing back a year on big-game hunting in free agency could serve two purposes: It could alleviate the urgency to unload contracts at Thursday's trade deadline and around the June NBA draft that could require the Lakers to attach future draft assets as incentives, and it could allow the Lakers' talented young core -- including Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart -- to further develop and become more attractive for veteran stars to join.
While the Lakers could still move Jordan Clarkson or Julius Randle or both players before Thursday's trade deadline, one league source put the chances of a meaningful trade at "50-50 at best."
E. Carchia
@Sportando
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