As the Los Angeles Lakers were preparing for 2018 NBA free agency, the expectation was they would use the two available max-contract slots to pursue a pair of All-Stars and vault their way back into contention.
Though, Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson cautioned the team was approaching matters under the scope of a two-year window. After signing LeBron James at the outset of free agency, there were rumblings over what the Lakers would do next.
James was said to be fond of the team’s young core, yet trade speculation involving Kawhi Leonard persisted. The Lakers ultimately filled out their roster with a slew of veterans on one-year contracts.