The Los Angeles Lakers have placed all their eggs firmly in the 2018 free agency basket. When the franchise hired Magic Johnson as president of basketball operations in February 2017, his main task was to work towards enticing some of this year's marquee free agents and make the Lakers an attractive destination. With the market now officially open, it's time for Johnson to live up to his name and work his magic to convince the likes of LeBron James and Paul George to bring their talents to California. It was clear all year that the team was planning for this moment and they signalled their intention by making multiple mid-season trades to free up two max contract slots on their roster. 

In the shadows

As one of the most decorated organisations in the NBA, the Lakers haven't been among the elite teams in the league for years and they're hoping that will soon change. 

They've missed the playoffs in five consecutive seasons and they're looking for the game's biggest superstars to come in and alter their fortunes. 

“I’d really like to be in the playoffs next year,” co-owner Jeanie Buss said recently, “so that’s what we’re hoping for.”

This could be a defining week coming up for Los Angeles and it may all start before free agency. 

According to multiple ESPN insiders, the Purple and Gold have re-engaged in trade talks with the San Antonio Spurs to acquire Kawhi Leonard. 

The two-time All-Star has informed the Spurs of his desire to move on and has made it clear he wishes to join the Lakers. 

This is the biggest indication that they are still a team that can lure the game's greatest players. 

Ramona Shelburne reports that LA believes it will have a better chance of landing LeBron if they can somehow conclude a trade for Leonard before the weekend. 

It may be unrealistic to expect that to happen so soon, but it shows that they're moving in the right direction and at least have one superstar keen to come on board. 

Kawhi will be a free agent in 2019 so he's likely to end up in a Lakers uniform at some point in the coming 12 months. 

Ultimatum 

All the pressure will be on Magic and general manager Rob Pelinka to get this done and the former is willing to bet on himself. 

Speaking to the media earlier this week, Johnson stated that he's giving himself two summers to bring in some top free agents and will quit if he fails to do so. 

“… Like I told you before I took the job and when I took the job, it’s going to be a two-summer thing for the Lakers," he said, per ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk.

"This summer and next summer. That’s it. If I can’t deliver, I’m going to step down myself. She [team controlling owner Jeanie Buss] won’t have to fire me, I’ll step away from it, because [then] I can’t do this job.”

That's a huge ultimatum for the Hall of Famer to give himself but it could also be a sign of his confidence that he can land at least one huge star. 

He's willing to put responsibility and added pressure on his own shoulders as he certainly wasn't told that he'd lose his job if he fails in free agency. 

But it shows that he holds himself to high standards and will not be happy with himself unless he delivers what he was brought in to do. 

He knows there is a huge chance for the Lakers to be big players in the league again and they're prepared to do whatever it takes to seize it. 

With at least $60 million in available cap space during a summer where most of the league is cash-strapped, this is a window of opportunity they have to take full advantage of. 

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