The recent trade between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers has carved a path for the latter to go after two max-contract 2018 free agents, LeBron James and Paul George, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.
The Lakers sent bench sparkplug Jordan Clarkson and forward Larry Nance Jr. to Cleveland for Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye, and their own first-round pick, clearing plenty of cap room for this upcoming season, which the Lakers front office plans to use for these two megastars.
Los Angeles has been working on this maneuver since the offseason, trading away D'Angelo Russell for the Brooklyn Nets' Brook Lopez and only signing free agents to balloon one-year deals like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
As planned from the minute Magic Johnson took over the reins as president of basketball operations, the Lakers will be heavy-hitters and one of the strongest franchises pitching stars like the hometown kid George and The King.
The Lakers have been overachieving this season, despite the abundance of youth in the roster, having won 22 games through two-thirds of the regular season, four short of their win total from 2016-17.
George and James would play alongside young pieces like Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma, who have been nothing short of electric as rookies and could grow into even bigger stars over time.
Both of these All-Star forwards will command a major sum, but given the attractions in the City of Angels and the hometown factor being a major one for George, both players could have a likely landing spot in L.A. this summer.
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