01 July, 2017
The Lakers seem to be holding out for Paul George and LeBron James next summer, but if this feels like too much of a pipe dream, adding some talent this offseason for PG-13's 2018 arrival might be the way to go. The Lakers should be an attractive place for a free agent is basically my point.
Klay Thompson might have danced a night away while on vacation in China, but that doesn't mean he missed the rumors that Paul George wants them both to join the Lakers. The Lakers have made the interest mutual and it is widely expected that George will either be traded to L.A. or will sign with the Lakers in free agency next offseason. 27 and 28 picks in this year's draft as well as the choice of either Julius Randle or Jordan Clarkson for George, but in turned down that deal.
Why aren't the Lakers trying to land George in a trade? Time will tell if this combo will eventually happen in Los Angeles, but it will certainly be in the back of people's minds if they do acquire George.
The new Lakers front office - composed of the president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and the general manager Rob Pelinka - said they will first target outside shooters and defensive specialists from the free-agent market who are willing to accept a short-term deal. "We'll be very sacred about that". This is the third consecutive season that a Laker has been honored with an All-Rookie team selection and Ingram is the fifth Laker in team history (Kobe Bryant and Travis Knight in 1996-97, Nick Van Exel in 1993-94 and D'Angelo Russell in 2015-16) to be awarded Second Team honors.
