It has been widely reported that LeBron James might bolt the Cleveland Cavaliers and join the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018. After this season, the Lakers will have enough salary cap space to accommodate James and another superstar. The question is who will be this other superstar. Will it be Paul George and Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder, DeMarcus Cousins of the New Orleans Pelicans or DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers? It was reported that George could join James with the Lakers in 2018.
In the offseason, George expressed interest in joining the Lakers but the Indiana Pacers traded him to the Thunder for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis.
Recently, the Lakers drew just a $500,000 fine for tampering with George while he was still with the Pacers. However, the Lakers avoided the heavier penalty when the NBA failed to determine if the team and George entered into an improper agreement. If proven, the Lakers could have been barred from signing George when he becomes a free agent in 2018. George can opt out of the final year of his deal with the Thunder. While he’s leaving $20.7 million on the table, he can sign a five-year deal worth $177.5 million with Oklahoma City.
Westbrook could jump to the Lakers
Westbrook is still contemplating whether to sign a five-year, $207 million extension. The league's reigning Most Valuable Player has yet to accept the Thunder's offer.
According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, James would love to team up with Westbrook. If that happens, the Lakers will have two triple-double machines that can turn them into a powerhouse in the Western Conference. While many executives believe that Westbrook will stay with the Thunder, there is a slim possibility that he could jump to the Lakers.
As of now, the Lakers don’t have the space to accommodate two superstars who are both eligible to sign maximum deals, but they can create it when the time comes by sacrificing young players like Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and getting rid of Luol Deng's $54 million contract. Even if they have needed $65 to $70 million space, the Lakers could consider which superstar will best fit James’ style of play.
If the Lakers select a playmaker, then Westbrook will supplant Lonzo Ball as their primary playmaker. If the Lakers settle for George, he can create a formidable tandem with James on offense and defense.
Cousins, Jordan could also be considered
Cousins is another option for the Lakers as he’s entering the last year of his contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. They could also pursue Jordan, who will provide the Lakers will a rim protector and rebounder. The Lakers already have big man Brook Lopez, but he’s in the final year of his deal. Earlier, podcaster Bill Simmons said there’s a possibility that James, George, Westbrook and Cousins could form a super team with the Lakers if they all agree to a reduced salary.
