The Los Angeles Lakers are a franchise that is used to winning championships, which has made their current five-year stretch of missing the playoffs difficult to tolerate. However, with plenty of money to spend and stars like LeBron James and Paul George on the market this summer, their fortunes could turn around very quickly.
Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka have spent their year-plus on the job carefully managing the salary cap and making moves to open up room for a superstar or two this summer.
Now, with the prep work almost done, Johnson and Pelinka will have to find a way to woo the stars that they desire.
Just as former Lakers player and coach Byron Scott did a few weeks ago, legendary center Shaquille O’Neal stated on “The Big Podcast With Shaq” that he believes the Lakers will sign James and George:
“I think Paul George moves himself. … He’s definitely going to LA. Him and LeBron, you heard it here first. I’m just saying this is my opinion. LeBron, Paul George, and there will be a couple other big-names that go to the Laker organization.”
While O’Neal likely doesn’t have any inside knowledge regarding the intentions of either player, he could very well be right. With the Oklahoma City Thunder bowing out in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, George could be looking forward to a return to his Southern California roots.
James, on the other hand, is currently still tearing up the Eastern Conference playoffs with the Cleveland Cavaliers. But as he sets his sights beyond his playing days, he could be lured in by the bright lights and networking opportunities of Hollywood.
At this point, nothing is certain aside from the fact that this summer will have a major impact on the future of the Lakers, one way or another.
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