The post-Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers were unable to secure a meeting during the early stages of free agency with four-time scoring champion Kevin Durant, who ultimately signed with the Golden State Warriors on a two-year contract.
Along with the Warriors, Durant met with the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, and Boston Celtics, leaving the Lakers and their immense cap space out in the cold.
"Nothing against the Lakers, but I already had my mind set on who I wanted to talk to," Durant said following practice with the U.S. Olympic team on Monday, according to the Los Angeles Daily News' Mark Medina. "I really respect their team. I just thought they were a couple years away from where I wanted to be."
The Lakers couldn't land a high-profile name to replace Bryant's star power. Instead, they've focused their attention on bringing in veteran talent to work alongside the young core of D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, and No. 2 overall pick Brandon Ingram.
Center Timofey Mozgov was the team's first big offseason get, signing a four-year, $64-million contract, despite only playing 76 minutes during the Cleveland Cavaliers' championship run. Two-time All-Star Luol Deng was added on a four-year, $72-million deal, while floor general Jose Calderon was acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bulls.
Part of Durant's rationale behind leaving the Thunder to join the star-studded Warriors is that he wants his best opportunity at becoming a champion for the first time. Los Angeles is nowhere near ready to contend for the Larry O'Brien Trophy, having won just 65 games over the past three seasons combined, including a franchise-worst 17 victories during the 2015-16 campaign.
