Rewind, Retool or Rebuild: What direction every team should take moving forward

PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 13: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors moves the ball upcourt ahead of Greg Monroe #14 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 13, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 13: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors moves the ball upcourt ahead of Greg Monroe #14 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 13, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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ATLANTA, GA – FEBRUARY 26: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives the basket against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on February 26, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – FEBRUARY 26: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives the basket against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on February 26, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Lakers

This offseason the Lakers will have less than $40 million committed to their roster that will leave them plenty of space to do what they do best, chase big free agent signings. In their crosshairs this time around are Lebron James and Paul George. With the latter having openly stated his intention to join his hometown team last summer before the Pacers shipped him off to join Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony in Oklahoma City.

If they can convince LeBron to leave the conference he has dominated for almost a decade to join George in the Western Conference gauntlet they would be almost guaranteed home court in the opening round of the playoffs, but would Lebron and PG13 added to young Laker core be enough to compete with Golden State and Houston?

The Los Angeles front office would certainly like to find out but they need to exercise caution and patience. If one or both of them pass on the Lakers they would be wise to learn from mistakes of the past and not throw big money at lesser talent.

Verdict: Rebuild