2. Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers targeted every star and notable role player imaginable on the open market. They struck out in all pursuits.
Normally, Rob Pelinka pulls off some under-the-radar moves, but as of now, the only additions to the club would be in the form of their two draft picks. Dalton Knecht looks like a steal at pick 17 in the draft, and Bronny James seems like he is only there because of his father.
Last season, the Lakers finished with a 47-35 record as the seventh seed in the Western Conference. The Denver Nuggets decimated them in five games.
The Lakers first pursued Paul George as their third star before he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. They pursued Klay Thompson before he signed with the Dallas Mavericks. They pursued DeMar DeRozan before he signed with the Sacramento Kings.
Throw in Chris Paul, Spencer Dinwiddie, Jonas Valanciunas, Gary Trent Jr., and Taurean Prince, who was in LA last year, and the Lakers struck out on every guy who they could have gone after this offseason.
No matter what way you want to frame it, the Lakers were major losers in free agency.