One of the NBA’s most prestigious and decorated franchises is currently bracing itself for what could potentially be a history-altering summer. When the clock strikes twelve on July 1, the Los Angeles Lakers will try to stage the coup of the decade by attempting to assemble a trio of the league’s top players, all whom will be available in some capacity or another.
LeBron James and Paul George will both enter free agency this offseason, while a disgruntled Kawhi Leonard has indicated that not only does he want out of San Antonio; Tinseltown is reportedly his preferred destination. George has made a similar proclamation in the past, and though LeBron’s has remained mostly mum on his future, there is a growing perception that L.A. is near the top of his list as well, depending on how much stock you put into rampant speculation.
The Lakers have made no secret that they’d like to land all three, which would obviously create a seismic shift in the NBA landscape for years to come, and team president Magic Johnson has been so vocal and forthcoming about his efforts toward that endeavor that he’s earned his organization fines for tampering.
In hopes of mitigating anymore costly improprieties, Lakers brass reportedly called a meeting to issue stern reminders to employees about the consequences of circumventing the NBA’s strictly-enforced rules regarding their interactions with prospective free agents prior to the league-mandated moratorium period. Via Ramona Shelburne of ESPN:
Sources said Johnson spoke to a large group of team employees, warning them about tampering.
Other employees received written notices on the matter that referenced possible termination as punishment for anyone who does not adhere to NBA rules.
The Lakers have been punished twice by the NBA for tampering in the past year, and as one team source put it, “We are under incredible scrutiny with everything, so Jeanie and Earvin had to make this crystal, crystal clear to everyone.”
Los Angeles has the cap space this summer to add at least two superstars, and some combination of LeBron, George, and/or Kawhi would certainly give them the firepower necessary to end the Warriors’ reign, but there are plenty of unknown factors involved. It’s going to take some serious good fortune to make it happen, and one thing’s for certain: they can’t afford to undermine those efforts with any silly tampering violations along the way.
(ESPN)
