Lakers in CHAOS: LeBron James facing summer of disarray in free agent hunt
THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS are not aligned on “any level” heading into one of the most important offseasons in franchise history.
LeBron should want Durant at Lakers NOT Irving says pundit
That’s according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who suggests the Lakers front office are in disarray ahead of this summer.
Despite James coming in last summer, the Lakers have failed to improve on their losing record and will miss out on the playoffs again.
Injuries played a huge part in their collapse this year, but there was still some hope the Lakers would improve.
The Lakers knew at the start of the season that they would have enough cap space going into 2019 to sign a max-salary player.
But there is even more emphasis on Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka to deliver a top free agent in the offseason.
Numerous reports throughout the year have suggested the best players potentially available - Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and Kyrie Irving - don’t want to come join James at the Lakers.
The Lakers organisation have tried hard to fan the flames that are being reported about the Lakers.
Lakers controlling owner Jeanie Buss attempted to downplay how hard the franchise went after Anthony Davis at the trade deadline.
And there is seemingly separate views on whether Luke Walton should remain as head coach going into next season.
Going into a summer where the Lakers know they can’t miss out on bringing at least one top player in, Wojnarowski reports the franchise are worlds away from being in a comfortable position.
“[The Lakers are] an organisation right now that is not aligned really on any level,” Wojnarowski said.
Despite the Lakers suffering another frustrating season and reports suggesting top players don’t want to join James, the four-time MVP is “very confident” that won’t be the case.
”They got me,” James said, laughing.
“I’m very confident. And I’m confident that players want to play with me.
“I’m very confident in that.”