Lakers news: Magic Johnson to meet with Kupchak, Buss on Monday

The latest Lakers news has to do with a reported meeting planned for next week.

As the trade deadline for this season approaches, the Lakers are expected to have a big meeting on Monday. Magic Johnson appears to be making the most of his new role with the team, as he’s been heavily invested in wanting to make the team better.

Believing in D’Angelo Russell and the rest of the young core is one thing, but trading in the best interest of the team is another. Not only that, but making the right moves in free agency will decide the future success. Plenty of rumors have surfaced since, including one that points to two superstars coming to Los Angeles soon.

Johnson is perfect for this role with the team because of the fact that he knows how to be urgent. Thinking that he’s going to be perfect just isn’t realistic. There will be mistakes along the way, but the intent will always be there.

As the team decides what to do with this season, there’s more at stake than just trade value. Falling out of the bottom three teams could cost the Lakers future draft picks. Not just any picks, but a top three pick in the next draft as well as effects in 2019.

When trying to put together the best picture for the immediate future, it’s hard to see Los Angeles ignoring that. In order for those bad things not to happen, they’ll likely have to tank and not worry about the playoffs.

What’s tempting is that they are less than eight games behind the eighth seed. There’s definitely ways for them to sneak into the post-season conversation, but that might be worse in the long run.

Next: How Lakers Can Grab AD & Russ

Expect big decisions soon for the Lakers.