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The Los Angeles Lakers have always been a big-time player in free agency until recent years, where they have repeatedly come up empty in their search for the next star to rise to the throne.
Following Kobe Bryant's retirement, the team has struck out consistently, failing to lure big names into playing in La La Land — a fact that has become obvious for former Lakers players — making the signing of LeBron James the only saving grace to their reputation.
The organization put their money where its mouth is, fronting stacks to the likes of Carmelo Anthony and LaMarcus Aldridge, only to sign Luol Deng and Timofey Mozgov after the former All-Stars refused.
They courted Kevin Durant in 2016, but couldn’t even get a meeting with the established superstar and former 2014 MVP.
Article Continues Below“Everybody,” former Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr. sighed on Saturday afternoon when recalling the franchise’s annual wish list, according to Bill Oram of The Orange County Register. “Everybody.”
Lakers fans got their hopes up of seeing a team that could produce greatness, only to be disappointed yet again with a team likely to end up near the bottom of the standings.
“I don’t want to say distracting,” Nance said, “But it was definitely, as free agency is, it takes a toll.”
The campaign to court James this summer is well underway, with the front office assuring to have plenty of cap space to sign him and another superstar player to the roster while having exciting young talents like Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma.
Yet anything less than building The King's throne in Los Angeles would prove yet another strikeout for the premier team of prior decades — one that has seen a major fall from the pedestal.
