Lakers News: Latest on Lonzo Ball, LeBron James and More
This time feels different.
In past years, talk about the Los Angeles Lakers landing a big star in free agency or via trade seemed hopeful boasting at best. Kobe Bryant still cast a shadow on the organization or the team didn't have the necessary assets or the Lakers were simply one heck of a bargaining chip for a free agent to use before going elsewhere.
But times have changed. After years of patient rebuilding, the Lakers finally appear on the upswing and might be the top-tier destination free agents covet.
Granted, it was a little strange to see Magic Johnson dump D'Angelo Russell via trade, even if it was a fast way to escape a terrible decision in the form of Timofey Mozgov's contract.
But otherwise, the Lakers have a rare upside-leaning core featuring second overall pick Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle, not to mention a veteran leader underneath the basket in Brook Lopez, even if he doesn't stick around long.
The new core is ripe for a strong developmental track, if not enough to lure big names to town.
In fact, the young core is so important to what the Lakers have in mind moving forward that they might be untouchable—even if it costs the franchise a shot at Paul George.
Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer recently reported Ingram held up trade talks with the Indiana Pacers: "The Pacers did talk to the Los Angeles Lakers about a package starting with Brandon Ingram, but the 19-year-old forward is exactly the kind of athletic player Magic Johnson wants on his team."
It's an eye-opening endorsement for Ingram, who at all of 19 years old has plenty of superstar potential of his own.
Granted, ESPN.com's Chris Haynes reported the Lakers won't stop badgering the Pacers about George, but Ingram off the table means the front office likely doesn't have enough in the way of assets to make a deal happen.
Which is fine—George, barring joining the Cleveland Cavaliers and chasing a ring right away, figures to want to come back to California and play for his hometown team anyway. He'd deploy next to Ingram and the rest of the young core while making plenty of cash in the process.
And to be honest, the Lakers might be looking past George for something else.
Like, a king.
A few weeks back, The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski (h/t Pro Basketball Talk's Dan Feldman) reported LeBron James might want to move west and play in Los Angeles.
"I think they feel, I think within Cleveland and around the league, they feel that he's very much in play to leave again and likely head out West to one of the two L.A. teams. The Lakers could very well be a target," Wojnarowski said at the time.
Fast forward to Tuesday, where The Undefeated's Mike Wise reported on Freddie and Fitz (h/t Feldman) that James wouldn't join the Los Angeles Clippers: "I don't know if that's because he remembers what the Clippers used to be, or he just doesn't want to put his lot in there, or he thinks [owner] Steve Ballmer is just too animated on the sideline."
That leaves the Lakers, folks.
Now keep in mind executive Rob Pelinka hasn't exactly been shy in talking about the team's strategy for the future, according to ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne:
Some fans might decry this because it's essentially the same approach as the past five years or so, but...we are talking about a shot at LeBron James.
The difference with the approach this time out? The Lakers have plenty of budding talent already in place and could make some noise.
After all, Magic didn't waste any time calling Ball the new face of the franchise, per ESPN.com's J.A. Adande. More recently, Ingram hopped on ESPN Los Angeles and had nothing but praise:
The positive outlook must be infectious in the area because forward Larry Nance Jr. showed up on the HoopsHype podcast and told Alex Kennedy he's not counting out a playoff berth (h/t Lakers Nation's Trevor Lane): "It's become a very realistic possibility. Now obviously, it's still summertime, so we haven't even gotten together to talk about any expectations or anything like that. But personally, yes, I want to make the playoffs."
Anything is possible, though it'll take quite a steep climb up the Western Conference to steal a berth, where even the Utah Jazz dropped 30 wins and teams like the New Orleans Pelicans have made major improvements.
Alas, there's nothing wrong with confidence for the future, which is more than the Lakers could say over the past few summers after misses in free agency. Indeed, this time feels different, and the patience necessary before the team makes a big splash finally coincides with what should be encouraging, upward-trending play on the court.
Rest assured the rest of the league—big-name targets included—will be watching.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
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