The Los Angeles Lakers are hoping the youth revolution going on in the franchise would improve their standing as far as attracting free-agents, especially two summers from now when L.A natives Russell Westbrook and Paul George hit the free-agency market.
Adrian Wojnarowski of the Vertical of Yahoo Sports reported the Lakers front-office are hopeful the buzz this young team about to create over the next two seasons would be huge for the organization as they try to land either Westbrook or George in the summer of 2018.
Via Woj:
"In two years, two sons of Southern California - Indiana's Paul George and Oklahoma City's Westbrook - can become free agents and consider coming home.
In their recent state of disrepair, the Lakers have been fully unappealing to superstar free agents. Kevin Durant wouldn't take a meeting with them. The Lakers called the reps of Memphis' Mike Conley on July 1, only to be told they wouldn't be seriously considered. Miami center Hassan Whiteside passed, too."
The Lakers have been keeping their eye on the two NBA superstars for quite some time now, but they are aware that they need to make themselves a destination again for free-agents, if they want to make a serious bid for these talented ball players.
Both Westbrook and George are the main players for their respective ball clubs and expected to be MVP contenders for the next two years. However, the Lakers will always be a fall-back option for them, if things didn't pan out well with their current team.
Wanted - Game Closer!
As for now, the Lakers have to live and die on the development of their young players (D'Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, Brandon Ingram, and Jordan Clarkson).
Los Angeles (3-2) could have easily gone undefeated in their first five games, if they have just found ways to close games. Luke Walton's baby Lakers direly need a closer in big time situation, and that guy has to be from their crop of youngsters.
Up next for the Lakers are the star-studded Golden State Warriors, who are coming off an emotional victory over Kevin Durant's former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder 122-96 on Thursday.