The Tribune

By INIGO 'NAUGHTY' ZENICAZELAYA

NOW that the NFL Draft is over, and August is still a ways off, it’s time to look at my Lakers, and their consistent dysfunction.

And why no top tier superstar free agent wants to run with ‘The King.’

Two prime examples are the Raptors’ Kawhi Leonard and the Warriors’ Klay Thompson.

KAWHI LEONARD

The Los Angeles Lakers are locked in on adding a star to pair with LeBron James this offseason, but who that will be is going to remain the big question. Just weeks ago, NBA analyst Ric Bucher joined Fox Sports ‘Undisputed’ and revealed that Lakers President Jeanie Buss is locked in on Leonard. “The big fish that Jeanie Buss wants is Kawhi Leonard,” Bucher stated on Undisputed.

With that being said, LeBron James could certainly jump into the mix and make a recruitment push for Leonard this offseason.

Whether or not that would be enough to help persuade Leonard to join the Lakers is unknown.

As of now, the latest rumblings point to the Clippers and Raptors being at the forefront, with the Lakers and Knicks potentially battling to stay in the mix.

KLAY THOMPSON

When the Lakers signed LeBron James last summer, most thought the franchise would at least make the postseason. Instead, they missed the playoffs and finished below .500 for the 6th straight season, leading to the resignation of president Magic Johnson and the firing of head coach Luke Walton.

This turmoil has Lakers GM Rob Pelinka deliberating on what to do this offseason. Thompson is amongst a handful of superstars under consideration for a free agent signing, as well as Golden State teammate Kevin Durant and the aforementioned Kawhi Leonard.

Don’t get too excited, several analysts are reporting/speculating that Los Angeles is not the top choice for Thompson.

Bill Oram of ‘the Athletic’ reported that the Lakers are the “second or third” choice on each of those players’ destination list.

LIGHT AT THE END

OF THE TUNNEL

Before Pelinka and owner Jeanie Buss give up on the superstar route, there’s a possibility they bring on the Warriors president Bob Myers.

The objective would be to bring Durant and/or Thompson in the fold of a trustworthy president with an accomplished vision.

Los Angeles has struck out in its attempts to pair a second star with James.

And based on what we have heard, it doesn’t look like Leonard or Kevin Durant have any plans of signing with the Lakers in free agency this offseason.

So why not someone like Charlotte’s Kemba Walker? More on that next week!

• Naughty presents ‘Mischief and Mayhem in da AM’ from 6am to 10am, Monday to Friday and ‘The Press Box’ sports talk show on Sunday from 10am to 1pm, on KISS FM 96.1.