Over the last few months, all I have been hearing on debate talk shows and sports radio shows is about how Earvin "Magic" Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers need to make a move to get Lebron James another superstar. Maybe they could trade for Jimmy Butler, talks of trying to sign Kevin Durant or Kawhi Leonard this off-season.
Now the talk of the town is trading for All NBA center Anthony Davis and possibly signing Kyrie Irving during free agency. I'm not trying to hold Lebron James back and I do not mind the Lakers trying to get back on the map after a streak of struggling seasons the last three or four years, but this superteam nonsense has to stop.
Anthony Davis rumored to the Lakers before the trade deadlineNBA Free Agency 2019 Instagram
Over the last four years, the Golden State Warriors have dominated the league with their plethora of talent through drafting and grooming talent, while also adding high-quality players through free agency. In their first championship run, the Warriors won with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green leading the way who are all homegrown players that the front office built around.
Most recently, they were able to acquire Kevin Durant, a top-three player in the league, and Demarcus Cousins, who (when healthy) is a top 10-15 player in the league. But they chose to be there. The Warriors developed a culture of winning, player development and a stable front office that has allowed them to create talented players, as well as lure free agents to their team with the system and stability.
The Lakers are doing something drastically different, but it's starting to get out of hand.
Since the arrival of Lebron James, the Lakers have been hard-pressed to become a superteam by any means necessary. Last season, it was all about trying to acquire Paul George in free agency or Kawhi Leonard through a trade with the Toronto Raptors, but they both fell through.
This year, the Warriors are back into free agent ploy. They plunged knee deep, to the point that even the media wants to see them successfully acquire these top tier players just to get Lebron some help. The list is relatively long too, as players like Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler, Kemba Walker, and Demarcus Cousins are all becoming available this summer.
Lakers pursuing big name free agents this summerNBA Free Agency 2019 Instagram
For the last week, debate shows like "First Take," "First Things First" and "Undisputed" have gone on and on about the importance of the Lakers needing another superstar or two to pair up in Tinseltown.
My caution for all those who are practically begging and pleading for the Lakers not to mess this up: don't be surprised if some other teams become big players in the free agent and Anthony Davis trade sweepstakes. The Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets and the Boston Celtics all have either young players, draft assets and max contract slots opening up that will make them very attractive destinations for these big names, which could drive top tier players away from La La Land.
I'm not saying we can't talk about ways to make the Lakers a better team, but I just want to know what happened to developing players and building stars. The Lakers have capable young players in Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart, Lonzo Ball, and Brandon Ingram. Even Ivan Zubac has recently emerged as talent.
I know Lebron has a short timetable and his groin injury may have only sped that time up. But trying to buy your way to a championship roster is not and will never be as easy as it sounds.
Don't get me wrong, I want someone to finally take down the Warriors dynasty down - but not at the expense of a competitive league. There's something about a team that builds from nothing to something to produce a good home-grown basketball team like the Denver Nuggets, or a team of that stature that makes the league better for fans who love the team on their jersey more than the player whose name is on the back.
Nonetheless, Lakers fans, cross your fingers and wear your pajamas inside out the whole way up until the trade deadline on February 7th. But if you want my personal opinion, I would say you are not getting Anthony Davis. I would suggest to the fans and crazed media to start looking towards a Plan B.
