3 Players who should be targeted by the Lakers in the 2019 free agency

The 2018 free agency was a great one for the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite missing out on Paul George, the Lakers managed to get the biggest coup of them all, LeBron James.

They surrounded King James with some exciting prospects, forming a good mixture of experience and youth. But their roster right now won't be able to challenge the Golden State Warriors.

With the buyout of Luol Deng, the Lakers have $38M in Salary Cap space for next year's free agency, enough for every max salary free agent available. LeBron James already being locked up for the next four years, LAL can get a second superstar to pair up with James and take the challenge to the Warriors.

Let's have a look at the top three free agents that the Lakers should target from the elite 2019 free agency group.

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#3 Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant has won two consecutive rings with the Warriors

Kevin Durant is the second best player in the NBA right now. He is the winner of the last two finals MVP awards. He averaged 26.4 PPG, 6.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists on 51.6 FG% in the title-winning last season.

KD has already raved about James going to the Lakers and has called it a 'perfect move'. He has also shown interest about a move to the Lakers. KD joining LeBron in LA would be very tantalizing for the Lakers. This would also weaken the Warriors and Lakers will emerge as the clear favorites for the championship.

But Durant has long been LeBron's biggest rival. It is highly questionable that KD will leave his current position of dominance with the Warriors to join James in LA and help in enhancing James's legacy. But if the chance comes, the Lakers will definitely pounce on the opportunity to have the top two players in the world on their team.

#2 Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson is one of the best shooters in NBA history

Who can forget his 37-point quarter against the Kings or his 60 points in 29 minutes against the Pacers. Klay Thompson might be the most efficient scorer in NBA. Give him the ball when he is hot and it will definitely be raining buckets from everywhere.

He is one of the best two-way players in the NBA. He gets the responsibility to guard the opposition best guard and then score 20+ points on the offensive end. He fulfills both these roles with ease. He is the perfect teammate in any setup. He doesn't need the ball to be effective and anyone would love playing with him on the team (especially LeBron and Lonzo).

Klay Thompson is also an LA native and has been linked with the Lakers over the years. His movement from the Warriors would break up the splash brothers and would weaken the Warriors on both ends.

With Klay only 28 right now, LAL will be the favorites for the remaining three years of James's contract. The Lakers management should make signing Klay a priority and for the LAL followers, LeBron James passing to Klay for the corner threes would be a wondrous sight to behold.

#1 Kawhi Leonard

Leonard has expressed his desire to play in LA

A healthy Kawhi Leonard is probably a slightly better player than even Kevin Durant because of what he offers on the defensive end. Kawhi Leonard has already won a finals MVP and has twice been the recipient of the Defensive Player of the year honors.

He has even become a very efficient scorer despite guarding the opposition's best player on a nightly basis. In the 2015-16 season, he shot 44.3% from the 3-pt line.

Kawhi Leonard controversially got transferred to the Raptors this summer after his fallout with the Spurs. He has very openly stated his desire to play for one of the LA franchises. With LeBron already there on the Lakers and the franchise history of signing elite free agents, the Lakers are the clear favorites for the Leonard coup.

The athleticism of James, Ingram, and Leonard on the wings, will wreak havoc on the opposition play. Kawhi may be the puzzle piece for the Lakers to win their 17th championship. James and Kawhi if put together, will make Lakers the favorite for the NBA championship.