Signed for next season ($39.1m): SF Luol Deng, PG Lonzo Ball, SG Brandom Ingram, SG Kyle Kuzma, PG Tyler Ennie, PG Josh Hart, C Ivaca Zubac, C Thomas Bryant
Randle has played his way into consideration for a re-up but I suspect he'll be a last minute option for the Lakers; if he's willing to wait, I'm guessing the Lakers will throw him a nice offer but if he's impatient he'll be playing somewhere else. Ingram was a fan favorite and could be low-cost roster filler (but I doubt we'll ever see that dude again). If the Lakers fail in their ability to lure in big time free agents, there is a chance that they bring back Isiah Thomas (and pretend like they got an all-star) but I'm guessing that's not their first choice. Payton is on a 2-way contract.
#25 isn't usually a sexy pick but the Lakers have drafted well over the years in this area (Kuzma, Larry Nance) so don't be surprised if they get a pretty good player here. Jalen Brunson (Villanova) might be there. And at #47 they could be in on Malik Newman (Kansas). I think both of those guys could be good pickups for them.
Okay, the ducks have been put in a row. First they go for Paul George (if the Thunder get rolled by the Jazz, you gotta think he'll be available and interested), then Lebron (I didn't think he'd leave Cleveland but the Pacers have made it clear the Cavs won't go too far this year), with Deandre Jordan, maybe Demarcus Cousins as the backup plan. I think they'll get George, still too early to call on any of the other guys. If they end up with JJ Reddick and Derrick Favors (and, say, Jahlil Okafor to go with Randle) instead, that actually seems like a pretty good crew to go with Ball, Ingram and Kuzma.
For now: well, right now there's not much there. But they'll look different by the end of the summer, I am sure.
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