Brace yourselves, Lakers fans, because your team could create another superteam in a couple of years. The last offseason was great for the Purple and Gold. Even though they missed out on Kawhi Leonard, who joined the Clippers, they paired Anthony Davis and LeBron James. That duo has led the Lakers to rank first in the Western Conference, playing great basketball before the NBA suspension in March.
Davis has shown his desire to remain with the team but that’s not it for them. In fact, there could be more superstars on their way to the Staples Center. According to Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report, the Lakers could leave the bubble not only as this season’s champions but with everything set to pursue two great players that will assure their dominance in the league for several years to come.
He is predicting that AD and Bron will try to lure Chris Paul and Paul George away from their respective teams.
“If George has the opportunity to join James and Chris Paul (a free agent in 2022), could he pass it up?” Swartz asked. “Especially if he wouldn’t have to leave L.A.?
“The Lakers might have max cap space for George in 2022, and Paul should be willing to take a mid-level exception fresh off his nearly $160 million contract.
“While this would be an older core, James isn’t showing any signs of slowing down, and Davis would still be in his 20s.”
Swartz makes it clear that Bron will try to convince Giannis Antetokounmpo to come to Los Angeles but if that fails, there are other options for the King and his team. He’s already shown his desire to play with the famous ‘banana boat crew’ and now that D-Wade is retired, he’ll try to make that happen, just a little bit different, trying to recruit Chris Paul to his squad.
Everybody believes AD will stay with the team. With Davis locked, the focus of the teams will be placed on James, Paul and George, who all have player options for the 2021-22 season. They will all have the chance to become free agents after 2021 or the next campaign.
It seems like a pretty long shot for the Purple and Gold, but if they make it work, their lineup will be one to be afraid of. Even if PG is 36 and 37 in 2021 and 2022, LeBron James has demonstrated that age no longer matters in this league.
