Just when the Los Angeles Lakers thought that they had a shot at the 2018-19 championship, the Golden State Warriors make an announcement that pours cold water on that idea. On Sunday night, LeBron James committed to play for the Lakers for the next four years, resulting in the team’s title aspirations next season to shoot through the roof.

That was until DeMarcus Cousins declared the very next day that he was accepting the Warriors’ one-year, $5.3 million deal. It was Golden State’s way of saying that no matter what the Lakers accomplished so far, they are not about to give up their hold on the Larry O’Brien Trophy that easily.

LeBron James in a Lakers purple and gold uniform was the first step in Magic Johnson’s grand master plan to return the franchise to prominence. The Warriors’ biggest free-agent signing since Durant in 2016 tempered expectations in La La Land and essentially challenged L.A.’s front office to do more and do better before they consider themselves championship contenders.

LeBron James
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In light of the Warriors’ recent blockbuster move this offseason, what deals can the Lakers come up with to ensure that they have a shot at winning the title next season?

2018 Offseason Free-Agent Signings So Far

With Rajon Rondo, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Lance Stephenson, and JaVale McGee committed to one-year deals next season, the focus is clearly on signing a max-contract player in the summer of 2019. Everyone knows that the player the Lakers want to slot into that position is the San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard who has declared his intention that he wants to play in L.A.

lebron James, lance stephenson, javale mcgee, rajon rondo
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Despite the lack of bang from this group other than the Rondo deal, they would be a significant upgrade over the Lakers bench last season that had players like Gary Payton II, Tyler Ennis, Alex Caruso, Ivica Zubac. Team chemistry should be the main concern rather than making superstar free-agent signings or trades just because a star player is available. Look at the Oklahoma City Thunder with Carmelo Anthony last season. As good as Anthony had been during his exemplary career, he just didn’t fit on that team.

However, the Lakers could include themselves in the conversation to acquire a certain All-Star who may be on the way out in Minnesota.

Trade for an All-Star

Karl-Anthony Towns, lakers
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In a report from the Chicago Sun-Times’ Joe Cowley, the Minnesota Timberwolves appear to be having some internal issues between Jimmy Butler and Karl Anthony-Towns. This comes on the heels of a reported rift between the team’s front office and Towns back in May. Coach Tom Thibodeau addressed the issue a month later saying that the team is “in a good place.”

With the latest rumor about Butler and Towns, there’s a chance that the latter may be the center of the problem in Minnesota after all. If these rumors keep popping up, the Timberwolves may find themselves in the same position as the Spurs with Leonard.

If the door is even slightly open for them to make a trade proposal to the Timberwolves, the Lakers should try to get an audience with GM Scott Layden.

Karl-Anthony Towns, Timberwolves

Towns has a very manageable contract that the Lakers can trade for easily without hampering their youth movement too much. He and incoming sophomore Lonzo Ball have similar contracts that can be traded for one another. The Lakers will likely have to add a couple of first-round picks for the Timberwolves to bite but that’s ok.

If he’s willing to come to L.A., the 7-foot center could sign an extension. With Towns on hand, they may not need to acquire Leonard next season.

The Lakers need at least one more superstar alongside James and Towns could be that player. If not Towns, a couple of All-Stars who could be made available are his teammate Jimmy Butler or Damian Lillard. All the Lakers need to do is inquire about these players’ availability.

Andrew Wiggins, Jimmy Butler
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Get Shooters to Surround LeBron

I’ve outlined a couple of shooters in another article who should play with James. Right now, the Lakers don’t have real shooters in their lineup other than Caldwell-Pope. Wayne Ellington is an excellent shooter who is a free agent that they should really consider pursuing. Playing for the Miami Heat last season, he showed that he can perform in the clutch. He can shoot the three and his free-throws, too.

Another shooter that could play with James is Kyle Korver, his former teammate. If the Cavs are going to be rebuilding next season, the Lakers should find assets to trade for him. James knows him and he would be a perfect fit in this lineup.

How Many Games Will the Lakers Win Next Season?

Los Angeles Lakers
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ESPN’s Kevin Pelton explains what fans can expect from the Lakers this season with this current lineup using the site’s predictive version of real plus-minus (RPM):

“Typically, a team with the Lakers' projected offensive and defensive ratings would win about 50 games, which would figure to put them in the mix for third in the Western Conference. That projection is tempered by the tendency for teams who add a superstar like LeBron to underachieve in their first season as they build chemistry. However, the Lakers can still improve as they fill out their roster by signing minimum-salary players who are better than replacement level.”

If the Lakers want to contend for a championship immediately, a 50-win season is not enough, especially in the tough Western Conference. As presently constructed, they are set to win these many games but with so many young guys playing crucial minutes, the Lakers are more than likely going to struggle trying to find consistency.

Kyle Kuzma, Lakers

The one who may struggle less is Brandon Ingram since he will be in his third year in the league. Kyle Kuzma is mature beyond his years so there is a chance that he could avoid the sophomore slump, but that’s not a guarantee. But Ball and Josh Hart, two key young players on the team, may struggle trying to play with James.

Though it looks like James will be patient this season and not be as adamant about competing for a championship since Paul George didn’t join him in L.A., when the Lakers reach the All-Star break, LeBron will have the urge to win a title. There’s no doubt about it. Rather than let him strain himself trying to win every game, Johnson should try and surround him with the best players who can help him carry the load.

Facing the Warriors

lebron james, chris bosh

It will be difficult to match the Warriors in terms of firepower, but if the Lakers can acquire a some of the key players mentioned above, they could make things interesting in next year’s playoffs.

Check out this lineup:

Center – Karl-Anthony Towns

Power Forward – Kyle Kuzma

Small Forward – LeBron James

Shooting Guard – Brandon Ingram

Point Guard – Rajon Rondo

Reserves:

Guards – Josh Hart, Lance Stephenson, Wayne Ellington

Forwards – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Korver

Center – JaVale McGee, Ivica Zubac

LeBron James

I don’t know about you but I like this team’s chances going up against the Warriors and they could surprise the rest of the league next season. This is a much better team than any that the Cavs fielded last season.

By tweaking the current Lakers lineup a bit more before training camp starts, they could contend for the championship in James’ first time in the Western Conference.

Let’s see what Magic does. Free agency is not even a week old. Expect more surprises from the Lakers brass in the weeks and months to come.