That’s according to the predictions from a new ESPN Forecast looking at the likely landing spots of the big NBA stars who could be on the move this summer.
The Lakers are keen to add more All-Star support the cast surrounding leader LeBron James.
They sought a trade deal with the New Orleans Pelicans for Anthony Davis before the February 7 deadline but saw all their approaches ignored despite being willing to offer a plethora of players, draft picks and even salary-cap relief to bring the six-time All-Star to Staples Center.
Los Angeles also have the cap space to sign one marquee free agent to a max contract this offseason with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson and Kawhi Leonard the premium players on offer.
DeMarcus Cousins, Jimmy Butler, Kemba Walker, Nikola Vucevic and Khris Middleton are among the alternative options available but the Lakers undoubtedly have their sights set on an All-NBA-level star to elevate their chances of championship contention.
Yet the Lakers have just a 27.8 per-cent chance of trading for Davis, with 61.1 per-cent of ESPN’s panel predicting the Pelicans big man to go the Boston Celtics.
Despite reports suggesting there were just four teams that Davis would sign long-term with – the Lakers, New York Knicks, LA Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks – he said over the All-Star break that all 29 teams outside of New Orleans are options.
Any deal to join the Celtics is likely to depend on whether Jayson Tatum is included in any package, though his Boston future could depend on whether Kyrie Irving exercises the player option in his contract to leave TD Garden.
Having previously declared himself keen to re-sign with the Celtics, Kyrie has been more non-committal of late and said when asked about his impending free agency decision: “Ask me July 1.”
But over half (52.8 per-cent) of ESPN’s panel expect Irving to stay in Boston, with 30.6 per-cent foreseeing him going to New York to join the Knicks.
The Lakers are third on 11.1 per-cent with the Brooklyn Nets, who have the cap space for two max contract stars, having just 5.6 per-cent chance of signing the point guard.
Yet worryingly for Lakers fans, Los Angeles are seen to have a lesser chance of landing any of Golden State Warriors duo Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson or Kawhi Leonard of the Toronto Raptors.
A huge 63.9 per-cent suspect Durant will depart Golden State to join the Knicks, despite repeatedly distancing himself from trade speculation in recent weeks.
Just 2.8 per-cent think Durant will pair up with LeBron in southern California, with 33.3 per-cent of the voting tipping KD to remain in the Bay Area.
Golden State team-mate Thompson, meanwhile, is a massive 91.7 per-cent to remain with the Warriors – who can offer him a max contract.
The Lakers stand just a 5.6 per-cent chance of attracting one half of the ‘Splash Brothers’ with the Knicks at 2.8 per-cent, per the panel.
The LA Clippers are the overwhelming favourites to sign Leonard, who can leave the Raptors a year after being traded to Toronto by the San Antonio Spurs.
The former Finals MVP wanted a move to California but the Lakers were unwilling to give up assets in any deal with the Spurs and just 8.3 per-cent of the panel see Kawhi now going to the Lakers.
Instead, 66.7 per-cent predict him to end up with the Clippers while the Raptors are seen to have a one-in-four chance of convincing him to stay long-term north of the United States border.
Despite the doubt in their chances of landing any of the top free agents in 2019, just short of 70 per-cent of ESPN’s panel think the Lakers will sign one max player to their roster this summer.
A little over 11 per-cent think the Lakers will end up without anyone, with a slightly higher 19.4 per-cent expecting two max stars to join the 16-time NBA champions this season.
Before then, the Lakers are desperate to end their five-year playoff drought with 23 games remaining of the regular season.
Luke Walton’s team are 29-30 and .492 after losing to the Pelicans on Saturday night. They face the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night (5pm PST/1am Tuesday UK time).