The Los Angeles Lakers have made their intentions clear all summer long under the new regime of general manager Rob Pelinka and president of basketball operations Magic Johnson. The team wants to create and save as much salary cap space for the summer of 2018 as they can so they can pursue marquee free agents such as LeBron James, Paul George and Russell Westbrook, among others.
In order to do that, the Lakers have to make some moves to shed some contracts blocking their ability to spend massive money next offseason. Los Angeles traded away D’Angelo Russell to help offload Timofey Mozgov’s contract just before the draft.
What does this approach mean for other young players such as Julius Randle? The former Kentucky Wildcat will be a restricted free agent after this season, and his $12.4 million cap hold could limit the team’s spending next summer. Is Larry Nance, Jr. a candidate to be traded with the surprising summer surge of rookie Kyle Kuzma? The guys break down the team’s options at power forward.
