The biggest problem with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2017-18 NBA season was that they expected LeBron James and Kevin Love to win with very little help. The Cavs traded away their third superstar -- Kyrie Irving -- and while they got back Isaiah Thomas, he wasn't enough to help. At the NBA trade deadline, the Cavs traded some older veterans for some young talent -- none of which was good enough to help when the NBA Finals rolled around. The Los Angeles Lakers don't want to make that same mistake.
The Lakers additions since signing LeBron
The Los Angeles Lakers signed a number of minor names since making the splash and bringing in LeBron James.
None of these names will help LeBron make the Lakers into an NBA title contender this year. Los Angeles let Julius Randle go and signed veteran Rajon Rondo, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Lance Stephenson and JaVale McGee.
This doesn't sound exciting. While Caldwell-Pope is promising, the other players are role players at best and Rondo is extremely older in basketball years than his real age (32). It sounds similar to the lineup that the Cavs put together last year. However, there is one thing to keep in mind. These players all have one thing in common -- one-year contracts.
All the contract expire next summer and that is when Kawhi Leonard becomes a free agent.
Lakers other trade possibilities
While the Los Angeles Lakers are making all these one-year deals, there are also some trades that the team could make in order to improve and give LeBron James a chance to win this year.
Of course, the biggest one is for Kawhi Leonard. While the Philadelphia 76ers are in the lead for that, Kawhi's uncle claims that his nephew will end up in Los Angeles one way or the other, so the Lakers might just wait till he is a free agent next summer.
Bleacher Report had some names for trades that the L.A. Lakers could make this season.
According to NBA insider Chris Sheridan, the Lakers have some trades that they have talked about and there are some big names on the list.
One of them is Kevin Love -- someone LeBron James is very familiar with from their days with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Another name -- and a huge one for the Los Angeles Lakers to consider -- is Washington Wizards' star John Wall.
Finally, names like Damian Lillard, DeMar DeRozan and Bradley Beal are on the list that Magic Johnson has discussed.
Any of these names could join LeBron James and turn the Los Angeles Lakers into an NBA title contender. However, the Lakers don't have a lot to offer, so the opportunity will have to be just right to pull the trigger.
