LeBron, Lakers Not High On Free Agents' Wish List, Report Claims

The Los Angeles Lakers will be back in the hunt for free agent superstars once again this summer as they look to reinforce the team after yet another disappointing campaign which saw it finish outside the playoff places for a record sixth consecutive season. The team is now hoping to add one of Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson or Kyrie Irving, who will all enter free agency, in the summer.

However, the Lakers could have a problem, with the Athletic’s Bill Oram reporting the franchise was not high on the list of the top free agents, with other teams currently ahead of the Lakers. James and company finished 10th in the Western Conference and did not look too appealing during the course of the season.

Leonard is keen to return to Los Angeles despite having a phenomenal season with the Toronto Raptors, whom he joined last summer via a trade from San Antonio Spurs. But the Los Angeles Clippers is said to be top of his wish list, with the Lakers down in third. It is similar with Durant, who is expected to move to the Eastern Conference and join the New York Knicks, with Lakers not a priority at the moment. Meanwhile, Thompson is widely expected to commit his long-term future to current employers Golden State Warriors.

The 16-time NBA champions realized that just signing LeBron James was not enough to get the team back to challenging for championships or even making the playoffs and that it required more players that can complement the three-time NBA champion. Lakers have $38 million in max salary cap space and the team is likely to target an elite superstar.

“The Lakers will now turn its attention to an offseason in which they are expected to revisit trade options for Davis, while also chasing top targets in free agency – as unlikely as it is that Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant or Klay Thompson will come, according to a league source who believes the Lakers will be second or third on those players’ lists," Oram wrote.

“The Lakers could build a team of complementary pieces better suited for James, like Boston’s Marcus Morris or Milwaukee’s Nikola Mirotic, and fare better than they did this season.”

The other option for the Lakers, if they fail to attract one of the top free agents, is to again go all out on a trade for Anthony Davis. The power forward is almost certain to leave the New Orleans Pelicans after requesting a trade, but it remains to be seen which team can make the best offer for his services.

The Lakers have parted ways with coach Luke Walton, who has since accepted a job with Sacramento Kings, while president of basketball operations Magic Johnson has also stepped down from his post. The team management has a number of appointments to make before the start of next season in October.