NBA: 10 Burning Questions at the 2018 All-Star Break

#3 Can the Lakers really do something with that cap space?

Los Angeles Lakers front office - Magic Johnson (President of Basketball Operations) & Rob Pelinka (GM)

Cleveland stole the show at the mid-season trade deadline. Of their many moves, was a critical one they had made with the Lakers. The deal involved sending Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye and the team's 2018 first round pick in exchange for Jordan Clarkson and hometown kid Larry Nance Jr.

It was a win-win trade with both parties benefitting from it and being able to accomplish their respective goals. While the Cavaliers' goals were to be more competitive and have better locker room chemistry, the Tinsel town franchise was more concerned with making cap room.

Dealing Clarkson's remaining 2-years and $25.9 million contract, the Lakers were able to open up cap space that allows them to sign two max free agents this coming offseason. It not only allows them to sign both this summer, but one could be in 2018 and the other in 2019.

If they were to renounce their rights to Julius Randle's contract for next year as well as waive and then stretch Luol Deng's remaining 2-year $36.8 million contract, the franchise could have as much as $70 million in cap space.

The Lakers have gone from having bad books to being players in the summer but are they going to be able to sign any legit max free agent this offseason?

Given his injury, they should avoid signing Cousins. Nobody knows what either of Paul George or LeBron James are doing regarding their plans to come to LA. These are the biggest FA's on the market this year.

If they can't land anyone, will they trade for a max player? Or will they give their young core another year and look to sign some max player in 2019?

Only time will tell.