The Lakers are one of the most successful and most popular franchises in all of American sports. Lately, they haven't had much success. The last time they played a playoff game was during the 2012/2013 season when they got swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. In 2016, Kobe Bryant retired and that marked the end of an era for the "Purple and Gold" from Los Angeles.
At the beginning of the 2016/2017 season, Lakers acquired Luke Walton as their head coach and he led the team to a 26-56 record this past season. This resulted in Lakers getting the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft, and they ended up drafting Lonzo Ball just a couple of days ago.
Earlier this season, in February to be exact, magic johnson was named the President of Basketball Operations for the Lakers and this was a move that every Lakers fan welcomed. It seems that now with Lonzo Ball as a leader on the court, and Magic Johnson in the front office, the Lakers are heading in the right direction.
LeBron James in Lakers uniform?
Brighter days might be coming to the Los Angeles Lakers, and one of the things almost every Lakers fan would like to see is LeBron James joining them next summer. While this may sound as an unrealistic option, it really isn't. James has two more years on his contract with the Cavaliers and has the option to opt out his final year. If he decides to opt out of his contract after the 2017-18 season, he will become a free-agent in the summer of 2018 and most likely leave the Cavaliers.
It was reported earlier this season that LeBron's wife, Savannah, has expressed the desire to live in Los Angeles full time. LeBron owns a home in Los Angeles and this makes things much easier if he decides to join the Lakers. LeBron has shown that he's not afraid to change teams and make huge decisions in his career, as he already left Cleveland once to join the Miami Heat.
With his most recent loss to the Warriors in the NBA Finals, LeBron's disappointment might be growing to a point where he leaves Cleveland again. He fulfilled his promise of bringing the Cavaliers their first ever NBA title, and this time it might be easier for him to leave the franchise that drafted him in 2003.
Teaming up with Paul George
One other thing that would be interesting for LeBron James, is if Paul George decides to join the Lakers as well in 2018. George has one year remaining on his current contract with the Indiana Pacers, and he already informed the Pacers that he plans to leave the team next summer. George has stated many times that he wants to play for the Lakers, and it seems that this is more than likely to happen in 2018 when he becomes a free-agent.
If Paul George signs with the Lakers next summer, that might make it a little easier for LeBron James to make his decision. With Lonzo Ball leading the team from the point guard position, and Paul George playing in his prime, no doubt that LeBron James would make the most of that situation.
Obviously, this wouldn't be enough to potentially beat the Warriors, but having Magic Johnson in the front office is a guarantee that the Lakers would surround him with best possible players in order to compete for the title.
