The Los Angeles Lakers will be the team to watch this weekend as the NBA embarks on a free agency period which may be one of the most interesting in recent memory. Superstars LeBron James, Paul George, and DeMarcus Cousins will all hit the open market with all three players potentially playing for new teams next season.

On Tuesday, Magic Johnson, Lakers president of basketball operations, talked about the team's plan heading into NBA free agency armed with enough cap space to sign two players to max deals.

“We're excited about free agency,” Johnson said. “We've often said this. We know we have two summers to deal with and we'll see what happens this summer. If we don't sign who we think we can sign, we'll turn our attention to next summer. We have the cap space and the flexibility. We created that, and we're looking forward to Sunday, but again, we're not putting all our marbles into one summer.”

Article Continues Below
More Los Angeles Lakers News
Coco Gauff of the United States poses with the trophy after winning the women’s singles final against Aryna Sabalenka on day 14 at Roland Garros Stadium.
LeBron James erupts with huge reaction to Coco Gauff’s French Open winLorenzo J Reyna ·
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kobe Bryant, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers
Thunder news: How Shai Gilgeous-Alexander draws ‘influence’ from Kobe BryantTomer Azarly ·
LeBron James, Stephen (Steph) Curry, who may be heading to an ESPN NBA broadcasting booth after they retire, after Lakers-Warriors game on December 25, 2024.
ESPN has ‘hopeful’ LeBron James, Stephen Curry wishAndrew Korpan ·
Chris Paul rescinded NBA trade Lakers Hornets
NBA news: Chris Paul shuts down Hornets-Lakers trade conspiracyJulian Ojeda ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) during the fourth quarter.
Luka Doncic’s offseason body transformation has Lakers fans hypedJedd Pagaduan ·
Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal stands next to Kobe Bryant with GOAT signs in background
Shaquille O’Neal has no regrets over treatment of Kobe BryantRandall Barnes ·

Although there's game-changing talent available this summer with the Lakers having perhaps the best chances of any team in the league of adding LeBron and or George, Johnson knows the team will have another opportunity a year from now. Kawhi Leonard and Klay Thompson may be available next summer depending on what happens with their current teams this summer or over the course of next season.

“We understand we have two summers to add to what we're building here,” Magic said of free agency. “I'm going to stay disciplined. I'm going to stay focused. I told you before this is not going to get turned around overnight. We're building something. We want sustainability. Jeanie [Buss] is 100 percent behind us and our strategy. We've been having unbelievable strategy meetings every single day. Rob and I have been going over a 100 scenarios and also players, and we will continue to just build the strategy until this weekend and then we'll see what happens. We're excited, but at the same time, we're going to stay disciplined. Nothing has changed.”

At 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, the Lakers will be as active as any team in the NBA as they officially begin their pursuit of superstar talent on the open market. Despite the endless stream of rumors and speculation surrounding LeBron's desire to come to Los Angeles, only time will tell if that turns out to be the case and if anyone like George or Cousins will be following him to Tinseltown.