From the get go, the front office of the Los Angeles Lakers stated that they wouldn’t be heavily involved in the 2018 free agency market. Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka have remained the course, as they have been gauging the market for possible one-year deals in lieu of 2018 free agency.
The Lakers have been in contact with many notable NBA players, particularly at the guard position. After moving on from former Utah Jazz guard George Hill, the Lakers have their sights set on the likes of Rajon Rondo, Jamal Crawford and possibly Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
However, the Lakers certainly do not want to rush a decision, with much of their 2017-18 roster in tact. According to Mark Medina of the L.A. Daily News, Los Angeles will continue to weigh their options until they come to a unified decision:
On Lakers' free agency front, I'm told nothing imminent brewing. Lakers still staying patient with weighing options
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) July 7, 2017
With the Detroit Pistons renouncing the rights to Caldwell-Pope earlier today, he is now officially an unrestricted free agent. That peaked the interest of the Lakers, as they stated they are significantly interested in signing him to a possible lucrative one-year deal.
Johnson and Pelinka are certainly viewing all possibilities, as this point in the free agency period is when both sides try to negotiate towards a favorable deal. After a failed attempt at acquiring Avery Bradley, the Los Angeles brass certainly wants to make a concise decision that favors the entire roster.
With a developing young roster, Pelinka referred to this season as a ‘Laker year’, pointing towards a major step in progression for the likes of Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram. The 2017 Las Vegas Summer League is the first step, while the front office remains in contact with possible free agent acquisitions.
