Russell Westbrook (Photo : REUTERS)
The Los Angeles Lakers could be in play for two surefire superstars in the next two or three years, as ESPN Los Angeles Baxter Holmes said he was told by an executive that L.A area natives James Harden and Russell Westbrook are likely to join forces in purple-and-gold uniform at some point down the road.
Holmes cited the quotes of Orlando Magic executive Pat Williams in the book "The Show: The Inside Story of the Spectacular Los Angeles Lakers" about the Lakers' status as a magnet for free-agents in this era and how it would play a factor in drawing Harden and Westbrook.
Williams believed Westbrook and Harden will eventually team up in Los Angeles as newest faces of the post-Kobe era Lakers, especially if the team would be able to land an All-Star big man in the next two seasons.
"The Lakers will always be a huge draw. They will be fine regardless. While losing Howard was not planned, they will still be in on anyone," according to Williams via ESPN's Holmes.
"They just need one big guy to go there, and the rest will follow. I expect [Russell] Westbrook and [James] Harden to join forces there when they become free. It definitely still has allure. It's still L.A., and they are still the Lakers. No free agent can question whether or not they will spend the money to win titles."
The Lakers are currently luring All-Star big man LaMarcus Aldridge in with the hope that his acquisition will kick start their rebuild and regain their stature as a destination for free-agents after two dreadful years.
Westbrook will become a free-agent in 2017 while Harden is under contract with the Houston Rockets until 2018. The two played together in that loaded Oklahoma City Thunder that also includes another Lakers target and next year's free-agency class alpha-dog Kevin Durant.
The Lakers recently added a young guard in D'Angelo Russell, using the no.2 overall pick in the just concluded NBA Draft. However, if the Lakers think they really have a shot at getting Westbrook and Harden, it won't be surprising if GM Mitch Kupchak would move the Ohio State Buckeyes standout to make room for these two flat-out stars.
