Report: Lakers not considered frontrunner for any top free agent
The Los Angeles Lakers desperately need to acquire another star player this offseason if they want a chance at contending for a championship with LeBron James, and it sounds like trading for one may be their only option.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, working out a deal for Anthony Davis is crucial for the Lakers because they are currently not a “major consideration” for any of the top free agents who will soon be available.
ESPN’s Woj – “If the #Lakers are drafting at No. 4 on draft night, they're in trouble because that means they didn't make an Anthony Davis trade done… Right now, they are not a frontrunner or even really a major consideration among any of the elite free agents.” #Pelicans pic.twitter.com/qVmbjs54sU
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 12, 2019
“They have got to find — and very likely via trade — a co-star for LeBron James, because right now they are not a frontrunner or even really a major consideration among any of the elite free agents,” Wojnarowski said Tuesday. “If they don’t get Anthony Davis, they’re going to have a hard time putting a team on the floor next year that LeBron is going to be very happy about.”
While that would have been a surprise prior to the start of last season, it makes sense now. The Lakers finished 37-45 this year and were nowhere close to being a title contender. Add in the fact that LeBron will turn 35 in December and dealt with his first ever significant injury this season, and you can understand why superstar free agents might want to look elsewhere.
The Lakers are reportedly one of two teams Davis wants to be traded to, though he could just be saying that to encourage the Pelicans to deal him sooner. There’s also a history between LA and New Orleans that could create an obstacle, though Magic Johnson stepping down may have helped solve a lot of that.
