The Lakers are the only team in the league that will still go free and LeBron James and Anthony Davis have spoken honestly about it.
Last season's LA team failed to get past the first round of the playoffs and clearly needs a few pieces to be considered a legitimate contender.
LeBron's agent, Rich Paul, recently told ESPN that LeBron was willing to take less money so that the Lakers could have a different reach and sign an “impact player.”
But the team missed Klay Thompson, James Harden, Jonas Valanciunas and DeMar DeRozan and LeBron corrected the situation.
“It takes two to tango,” LeBron said ESPN. “I think our front office, our coaching staff, they tried to do the job they wanted to do or they tried to bring the guys to come but it didn't happen. And that's OK. That's part of the business. I've been in this business long enough to know that sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't.
“That's why we don't sit here and lie or complain about it. We're moving forward and Klay is a great player. DeMar is obviously a great player. Valanciunas was one of those guys who ended up going to Washington, it was someone who talked to us, but we continue to see how we continue to improve.
“I'm looking forward to this fall when I get back there.”
It looks like the Lakers are betting on Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent, who combined to play 40 games in 2023-24, to be the difference makers.
“We don't know what we could have been if we had those guys, especially in the playoffs,” said Davis. “He knows Vando in particular because he is a big part of what we do defensively. But, so we look at the list, and you know we come in ready to work.
“And last year is last year. We can't say 'Oh this is the same team.' It could be a different outcome. For us, it's about going in with the mindset of coming to work and seeing how it plays out.”
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