At this time in recent years, the Lakers had formalized plans for how they would convince the next superstar free agent that their organization could give them everything they would need.

At a free-agency meeting at their facility or the firm of a client’s agent, the Lakers would focus on two things. They would tout their championship exceptionalism – their 16 NBA titles explaining what historically drove this franchise – and the countless ways a player could enhance his profile while playing in the entertainment capital of the world. Often, the Lakers either glossed over or downplayed concerns about their actual on-court product.

The Lakers whiffed on several high-profile pitches in recent seasons, marking one of many reasons President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson and General Manager Rob Pelinka were hired to replace Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak in February. So, when free agency begins again Friday at 9:01 p.m. PDT, how will they rectify the organization’s past free-agent strikeouts?

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Magic Johnson says Lakers aren’t close to another deal “I’d imagine free-agent pitches will be different,” Lakers president Jeanie Buss said. “I’m not exactly sure what those plans are. But whatever they do, I will be there at their disposal.”

Buss replaced her brother, Jim, with Johnson. She replaced GM Kupchak with Pelinka, a longtime player agent, partly because of the lack of communication during four consecutive missed playoff appearances. Though Buss has given positive reviews on the improved synergy with the new front office, she maintains that basketball operations has full autonomy.

Having analyzed the free-agent landscape and their own rebuilding process, the Lakers appear intent on doing things differently. Instead of trying to hit home runs, the Lakers plan to spend the free-agent period perfecting their swing.

After failing to retain their own free agents (Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol) or sign new ones (LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Monroe, DeAndre Jordan, Kevin Durant) in recent years, the Lakers do not have any sales-pitch meetings scheduled with any prospective free agents.

After splurging on veterans Timofey Mozgov (four years, $64 million) and Luol Deng (four years, $72 million) last summer, the Lakers plan to pursue players on one-year deals so they have enough salary-cap room for when James, Russell Westbrook and Paul George are expected to become free agents in the 2018 offseason. They already made progress by trading Mozgov and third-year guard D’Angelo Russell to Brooklyn last week for center Brook Lopez and a first-round draft pick.

“We’ll be very strategic to keep the cap space in 2018,” Pelinka said after the draft. “We’ll be very sacred about that. We worked very hard to get into that position. So we’ll be smart in free agency.”

To be smart in free agency, the Lakers also have set their eyes on two realities. The Lakers are not expecting to acquire George from the Indiana Pacers amid their insistence on keeping Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram. With their hopes set on George becoming available next summer, the Lakers want to pursue players who fit specific criteria that would accelerate the young roster’s development.

To account for Russell’s departure and Nick Young opting out of his $5.7 million player option to become a free agent, the Lakers will first target outside shooters. They also plan to pursue defensive specialists after finishing at or near the bottom of the league in most defensive categories last season. It would help if that player can play multiple positions, both to give the Lakers flexibility and to accommodate Luke Walton’s system that mimics modern NBA offenses.

But at what cost? The Lakers want to minimize multi-year contracts, but they are open to spending a bit more as a way to compensate for a one-year deal. As much as they want to attract elite stars again in 2018, the Lakers are also intent on acquiring veterans who will have a positive influence on their young roster.

“I understand how to build in terms of championship teams,” Johnson said. “I know what it looks like.”

How will Johnson and Pelinka assemble that puzzle?

“I really like the combination that Jeanie put together,” one NBA executive said. “They’re in a good phase. But this is really step one. They have to get their foundation set.”

Another NBA executive added, “They’re going to stink. But they’re at least going to be better next year. This is the honeymoon period.”

During that honeymoon period, an informal sample of team executives, analysts and agents has raised a number of questions about the Lakers’ 2017 and 2018 offseasons.

• Will Johnson’s Hall-of-Fame credentials and charisma make a substantial difference in luring free agents who did not seem impressed with Kupchak’s stoic nature? Johnson helped recruit the former Ron Artest in 2009, and had advised Bulls guard Dwyane Wade and Clippers forward Blake Griffin in previous years.

“I always bet on myself,” Johnson said. “I’m fine where we are.”

• With Pelinka meeting with agents at the team’s practice facility and in New York before the NBA draft lottery, will his familiarity with agents, negotiating with other teams and the collective bargaining agreement give him an edge? Or will he have to mend fences with opposing teams and agents that felt spurned by his negotiating tactics?

“He has the wit to understand when to stand pat and when to pull the trigger,” said ESPN analyst Jalen Rose, who played with Pelinka at the University of Michigan. “He represented the Lakers’ best player in Kobe Bryant for almost 20 years. How many times do you think he’s talked to Jeanie, Dr. Buss and Mitch and everybody in the front office?”

• Given Pelinka’s ties to Bryant, how much influence will the retired Lakers great have behind the scenes? He has remained opened toward training with the team’s younger players, but will his role expand while overseeing Kobe Inc.?

“Kobe has made himself available to me as an adviser and as a cheerleader,” Buss said. “He’s been great. He’s really super smart.”

As those dynamics evolve, the Lakers plan to address other things. They could make more changes and additions to their behind-the-scenes positions. Though they are open to pursuing trades, the Lakers will likely keep most of their young core intact. They also remain invested in Coach Luke Walton.

Those elements could help the Lakers succeed next summer when they have money to spend. That plan backfired when the Lakers tried to convince stars to join a roster featuring an aging Bryant, an assortment of players on one-year deals and coaching instability. The Lakers believe a firmer foundation built this summer will provide steady development and stronger selling points. The Lakers also point to the differences with Johnson and Pelinka compared to Kupchak and Jim Buss.

“When you have that much cap space, we’re going to be major players next summer. The tide has turned,” Johnson said. “People want to play here again. It’s exciting times for the L.A. Lakers. I wouldn’t have made that move if I didn’t think I could use that money.”

Before the Lakers use that money, though, they will worry less about setting off fireworks on the Fourth of July. Instead, they will try to stock up on the right ammunition.

Staff writer Bill Oram contributed to this story.