It’s no secret that the Los Angeles Lakers are in search of a superstar. With Kobe Bryant retired, the franchise needs a new cornerstone to build around, someone who can lead them back into the light after a difficult stretch in the league’s cellar.
They have spent the past few summers searching for one such player, but all the big names, including Carmelo Anthony, LaMarcus Aldridge, and DeAndre Jordan, have turned them down. Still, the Lakers have always been built around stars, and they will continue trying until they land one.
With that in mind, in news that will be surprising to no one, the Lakers are expected to pursue Oklahoma City Thunder free agent Kevin Durant this summer, according to Marc Stein of ESPN:
Wizards, Heat, Celtics, Rockets, Knicks, Lakers, Spurs and, yes, Warriors … all expected to pursue Kevin Durant in free agency this summer
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 31, 2016
The Lakers do possess an intriguing mix of young talent, with Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, D’Angelo Russell, Larry Nance Jr., as well as the second overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
This summer is a bit of a unique one though, as most of the league will have money to spend thanks to a spike in the salary cap due to the league’s new TV deal. The Lakers will face stiff competition for Durant’s services, and given the fact that most of the teams in the hunt will offer squads that are ready to win now, it would appear that Los Angeles’ chances of landing Durant are as slim as is.
Still, superstars aren’t easy to come by, and the Lakers will take any chance they can get to try to aqcuire one. With the team desperately in need of a turnaround, landing a player of Durant’s caliber would instantly put them back on the map.