The year is 2018 and the Lakers are coming for your stars. The plan has been in place for some time, but was ramped up nearly a year ago when Magic Johnson Rob Pelinka went on the record only 4 months after taking over as faces of the front office and spelled it out.
Move after move was made only, seemingly, to advance towards this goal. Trade D’Angelo Russell to get out of Timofey Mozgov’s contract. Shed Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance for expiring contracts (not to mention a 1st round pick that could be used on a player or as sweetner in a future trade) to open up more cap space.