Report: Lakers turning attention to 2019 free-agent class
The Los Angeles Lakers' future game plan has seemingly changed.
While nothing is preventing the organization from making a splash in free agency this summer, the Lakers are going to focus more of their attention on signing a huge name in 2019 when players like Jimmy Butler, Klay Thompson, and Kawhi Leonard could be available, league sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne.
Trading D'Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets in June wasn't only designed to make room for then-incoming draft pick Lonzo Ball, but to create cap space to pursue someone like LeBron James at the end of the season. Brook Lopez's $22.6-million contract is expiring, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - the Lakers' big 2017 signing - is coming off the books at another $17.7 million.
There's reason to believe, though, that the players the Lakers were going to target may not be as inclined to sign anymore. James probably wouldn't be interested unless he's paired with another superstar, DeMarcus Cousins is out for the year with a torn Achilles, and California native Paul George may ultimately elect to stick with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
As Wojnarowski and Shelburne point out, waiting would provide the Lakers' core of Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Kyle Kuzma another year to develop and possibly make the team more attractive to free agents.
Los Angeles also won't be in a rush to unload contracts by Thursday's trade deadline. Jordan Clarkson and the three years remaining on his deal have been mentioned in trade rumors, and Julius Randle will soon be a restricted free agent. Veteran Luol Deng is also owed $17.1 million in 2017-18, and $18 million in each of the next two years, with a waive-and-stretch provision being an option.
A whopping $60 million in cap room could be created in 2019 if Los Angeles trades either Clarkson or Randle, and Deng. Regardless, with the space they have in 2018, the Lakers will reportedly try to help out teams seeking to dump giant contracts if push comes to shove, sources told ESPN.
The Lakers sit 11th in the Western Conference with a 21-31 record. They've won 10 of their last 14 games, their strongest stretch since 2013.