While the Los Angeles Lakers put themselves in position to sign two max-level free agents this summer, president of basketball operations Magic Johnson noted the franchise had two years to retool their roster.
The Lakers proceeded to sign LeBron James, but rather than break up their young core in a Kawhi Leonard trade, kept the group intact and added veterans on one-year contracts. While improving the roster, the Lakers maintained flexibility for 2019 free agency.
A star-studded group of players are expected to reach the open market, with the likes of Jimmy Butler, Kevin Durant, Leonard and Klay Thompson among the notable names.