The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be as aggressive as any team in the NBA in terms of pursuing free agents this summer. The storied franchise is hoping to bring in a few veteran free agents that can help right the ship with plenty of options available come July 1.
The biggest name on the open market this summer will be Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Durant will be an unrestricted free agent and plans to test the free-agent waters with the Lakers likely to be one of the many teams hoping to convince him to sign a lucrative long-term deal.
On Monday, a day after he announced he’ll be mentoring and working out with point guard D’Angelo Russell over the summer, Magic Johnson once again took Twitter to talk about the future of his former team. Johnson believes Durant should be the first player the team reaches out to in free agency in July:
Laker Nation: The first free agent the Lakers should go after is Kevin Durant.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 2, 2016
Magic also mentioned DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors as a player the team should consider in free agency. DeRozan will also be an unrestricted free agent and may have his hometown of Los Angeles on his list of potential destinations:
Laker Nation: DeMar DeRozan should be one of the free agents we go after this summer.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 2, 2016
Another big-name player who could be available in free agency is LeBron James. The Cleveland Cavaliers superstar is expected to opt out of his contract with the team and re-sign shortly after, but there’s a chance he could consider leaving town again. Magic also thinks the Lakers should at least give LeBron’s agent a call once or if he’s available.
Along with Durant, DeRozan, and James, there will be a few other notable players on the free-agent market this summer. Hassan Whiteside, Al Horford, and Nicolas Batum could be among the players receiving calls from the Lakers brass. Restricted free agent Harrison Barnes may also be a target, especially with his ties to new head coach Luke Walton.