The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be one of the major players in this year's free-agency market. The pressure to build a championship team around LeBron James is at an all-time high, and they are expected to bring at least one superstar to provide the four-time MVP some help.
Over the past couple of years (with the exception of last summer when the Lakers got James), the Lakers have struck out in free agency, as most of their top targets have chosen to either stay with their teams or go somewhere else. They've also attempted to trade for a superstar multiple times, but they've failed.
But it seems that's no longer an option this time around, as according to reports, the team could risk losing LeBron if they're once again unable to land a top-tier talent this summer.
Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times recently claimed on The Sedano Show that LeBron could ask to part ways with the franchise if there's no significant improvement on the roster by the start of next season (h/t CBS Sports):
“I'm hearing that if they whiff on free agency, and if they whiff on a trade, which I don't know how likely that is, but if that happens, they've got big trouble with LeBron. I mean the LeBron era could be over before it starts here.”
“I heard this for the first time yesterday, somebody very connected said ‘You know what, if they whiff, LeBron's going to say either I'm out of here or get me out of here, or the Lakers just might as well just get him out of here.' So this is huge.”
On the same show, ESPN's Dave McMenamin also shared what he has been hearing from his sources, and that is LeBron's camp won't settle for mid-tier talent. It's either one of the top names on the market or bust:
“Everyone I speak to associated with LeBron, they are holding the rope for now, and all they can do is be positive because this is going to be a crucial five-week stretch. But on the other side of that, if it's July 10 in Los Angeles and it's Nic Vucevic [that the Lakers have had to settle for], or whomever does not meet the criterion of bringing in a star who can make them an immediate contender, you could only imagine where things could go.”
The Lakers have enough cap space to sign another player to a max contract, and you have to believe they're going after guys like Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, and Klay Thompson. They will also attempt to acquire a star via trade, with the most likely target being Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans.
If the Lakers fail to build a championship team next season and they lose LeBron, it could be catastrophic to the franchise.
Follow Us
Subscribe
