While the Los Angeles Lakers are focused in their pursuit of completing an Anthony Davis trade with the New Orleans Pelicans, they are simultaneously attempting to preserve salary cap space for 2019 free agency.
The approach is one the Lakers have held for quite some time, particularly with the signing of LeBron James last summer. Days before that became a reality, president of basketball operations Magic Johnson emphasized the team was approaching matters under a two-year scope.
His words of caution proved beneficial as Paul George spurned the Lakers in favor of re-signing with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Kawhi Leonard was traded to the Toronto Raptors.