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Carlos Osorio / Associated Press
After years of chasing stars, the Lakers won the biggest match on Sunday when Klutch Sports Group published a sentence single declaring that LeBron James "has accepted a $ 154 million contract for four years" with Los Angeles
The Lakers have come out of a season of 35 wins, an improvement over the 22.8 qu & # They had averaged over the past four years. for one of the most advertised franchises in the sport. They will return to the honor when James arrives, but will the Lakers have enough to continue his run of eight consecutive appearances at the NBA Finals?
They do not do it on paper. Not with the Warriors on the Pacific Coast, who now boast of a start of five Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and DeMarcus Cousins. James has accepted the vision of Earvin "Magic" Johnson, a leader of the Lakers, but it may take more than a few days for the front office to build a list of championships around his new star striker
. play without a second star. Paul George chose to stay in Oklahoma City. According to Marc Stein of New York Times the Lakers passed entirely on Cousins, even at a reduced price. Chris Paul and Durant return to Rockets and Warriors respectively. DeAndre Jordan leaves the Clippers for the Mavericks
Who did the Lakers bring to play with James? Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, another Klutch Sports customer, will be back for a $ 12 million season.
He was the most useful Lakers player last season; not on the ground, but as the bridge-builder to the agent Rich Paul, who attended several games with the owner of the team Jeanie Buss. No, she did not falsify, but both were able to form a relationship that led to the Lakers' greatest free agent signing since Shaquille O. Neal in 1996.
Lonzo Ball The Lakers will add Lance Stephenson, an eccentric player, to $ 4.5 million, but more likely with the exception of $ 4,449,000 from the Lakers (after the team will have used all available spaces). JaVale McGee will also play with Los Angeles at least veterans ($ 2.4 million).
The next day, the Lakers separate from the restricted free agent Julius Randle, forgoing him in the captain's place. Randle will play for the pelicans, who in turn will lose Rajon Rondo to the Lakers (one season, $ 9 million).
Note the trend. The Lakers committed $ 27.8 million in one – year transactions, which allowed the franchise to spend again next summer, as a long list of free agents could be available, including Kawie Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Kembie Walker and Jimmy Butler. , Durant, Cousins and Thompson.
The NBA's current salary forecast for the 2019-2020 season is $ 109 million. With Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart, Moritz Wagner, Luol Deng and James under contract, the Lakers could have a buying power of about $ 30 million. That number would go up if the team traded the last $ 18 million owed to Deng or stretched his salary to $ 6 million for three seasons.
It is important that the Lakers can get the highest possible salary possible of $ 38.2 million in the summer without the need for an exchange.
Leonard Kawhi Eric Gay / Associated Press / Associated Press
The Spurs may claim a royal ransom for Leonard, but if Los Angeles is patient he can keep all his young children and bring Leonard to play with James as a free agent.
Yes, a similar argument was made last year for George when the Pacers were looking to trade him. The Lakers chose patience, and the All-Star striker fell in love with the Thunder. Leonard can do the same if he is traded elsewhere, but he is not the only potential target in 2019.
As long as James believes in Johnson's vision, he will be patient.
Meanwhile, the Lakers will have the opportunity to try each of his young developing players to see who fits well with James. The team still has up to $ 5.7 million in cap ability, but that number can reach $ 15.5 million if the Lakers stretch Deng. It can reach $ 22.8 million when they trade it directly against a team like the Hawks, with at least one first-round player attached to their problems.
The Lakers will make no move without a free agent or a specific commercial target.
If the Spurs lower their asking price on Leonard, and if the Lakers are willing to give up Ingram, Los Angeles can open enough space for the caps by stretching Deng to make a one-on-one deal with San Antonio. If not, maybe a player like Damian Lillard asks Portland. Maybe Butler, who may not be happy in Minnesota, by Joe Cowley of Chicago Sun-Times asks for a trade.
Brook Lopez Brandon Dill / Associated Press / Associated Press
Given the flexibility of the Lakers next summer, they should operate conservatively. Bring Brook Lopez back to $ 5.7 million when he is open to stay.
A starting lineup of James, Ingram, Caldwell-Pope, Ball and Lopez with Kuzma, Rondo, Hart, Stephenson and recruits Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and Wagner on the bench may be The Lakers need a Batman from Robin to James are hoping to really fight for a place in the final, but they can wait their hour. Johnson pointed out that his team is on a two-year plan to add stars. He has already won most of the league
If the Lakers can get Leonard at a reasonable price in a trade or steal a major piece of Warriors like Durant or Thompson in free agency next summer, it could catapult Los Angeles to the status of favorite.
Lillard is a player to watch. He has three years left in his contract, but the Blazers have struggled to progress in the West.
The pressure to get a second star is real, but it's not urgent. The Lakers have the time both to prepare their developing players and to make selective purchases in free agencies and on the market before the 2019-2020 season.
Email Eric Pincus to [email protected] and follow him on Twitter, @EricPincus .
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