LeBron Makes Lakers' Recruitment Pitch, Kevin Durant Maybe Main Focus

The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2018-19 NBA season is petering out without any fanfare after yet another disappointing campaign, which saw the team miss out of the playoffs for the sixth consecutive campaign. The management is aware that massive reinforcements are needed if they are to begin challenging for top honors again.

LeBron James, who joined the Lakers on a four-year contract, was unable to end their playoff drought and even the greatest player of the current generation is aware that the team needs to add another top player to make them contenders. The 15-time NBA All-Star has vowed to help in the recruitment process.

Lakers has $38 million in max salary cap space going into the 2019 free agency market and there are a number of top quality players who will become unrestricted free agents when the clock strikes 12 on July 1. Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson among others are all expected to enter free agency.

Durant is expected to be the most sought after player in the summer and James has been instructed to make his biggest pitch to the two-time NBA Finals MVP. The Golden State Warriors forward is expected to leave the Bay Area team for pastures new, but it is unclear if he wants to spend it with James in Los Angeles.

“I would go after KD,” Cris Carter said on "First Things First", as quoted by the Express. “I’d go after and get the best basketball player that’s available.”

“Lets do this together. We could be the greatest combo ever in history playing for the best franchise ever. You want to live in L.A., lets do this together KD," he said.

“LeBron would be a drastic help for KD as far as the media, regardless of what KD is saying…He needs a big brother once in a while. But LeBron needs someone else on the court that can score the basketball, can stretch the defence, get their own shot,” he explained.

“That’s what I would do. Why would I settle if KD is the best player, and I know LeBron thinks that way. Kemba? Uh uh. Kyrie? Uh uh. Kawhi? Keep that for yourself, you can go to the Clippers,” Carter said. “I’m going after KD, I make the biggest pitch to KD. That’s what I would do if I was LeBron James.”

And the three-time NBA champion recently made his pitch to every free agent out there by demanding which player wants to join him on his journey to the top with the Lakers. He guaranteed the player full commitment to ensuring his current employers get back to challenging for the NBA championship.

“I’m looking forward to seeing who jumps in the car with me and want to take this ride to the top. I know what I bring to the game. I know my commitment to the game. I’ve never cheated the game. Throughout my career, it’s always given back to me,” James told Allie Clifton of Spectrum Sportsnet.

“I’m not saying I’m guaranteeing a championship. I’m guaranteeing my body. I’m guaranteeing my mind will be and always be in a championship mindset until I’m done,” he added.