On December 29, Beijing time, NBA games continued, and showdowns like Lakers and Rockets, Warriors and Nuggets were all focus battles. In addition to the game, the league has 3 other important news out, below, the author for everyone to take stock one by one. First, Irving finally returned, participating in training for the first time after the lifting of the health and safety agreement. Second, the Lakers plan to come to light and want to trade for Grant, and Tucker and Nunn, the 2027 first-round pick may become chips. Third, the Lakers decided to let James play center in today's game, the 37-year-old Zhan is too tired, how come the Lakers coaching staff is still reluctant to reuse Howard?
First, Irving officially returned to the team and will participate in team training
Today, the Nets officially announced the good news, Durant and Irving, Aldridge and other three superstars, officially lifted the health and safety agreement, which also means that the three superstars can play in future games. In the past few games, Harden has led the team single-handedly, helping the Nets beat the Lakers and Clippers, and the performance is very outstanding. Bearded has found MVP status, and with Durant back, Irving will also play away games, and this super team is going to attack the championship.
According to teammate reporter Billy Reinhardt, the Nets will hold a training session tomorrow, and Irving will participate in the team's first team training session after September to prepare for a comeback. According to previous reports, Irving will return in an away game in January, and now, Irving's season debut has entered the countdown. Nash organized this training session, but also hope that Irving can re-integrate into the team, I believe Durant and Harden will be very happy.
Irving is an excellent scorer in the NBA, he has the ability to cut 40 or even 50 points, and at Durant's break, Irving can lead the team to continue to win. However, Irving only plays on the road, there are risks, the team's chemistry may be broken, the Nets have always been the first team in the East, Irving returns, it may take a while to adapt, the Nets' record may also decline.
Second, the reporter broke the news that the Lakers want to trade Grant 3 for 1
The Lakers' situation is already very bad, and the thick eyebrows will be absent for a while, and the Lakers have suffered five consecutive losses, and the record has slipped to 9th in the West. The Lakers' next schedule is the most difficult in the league, and the possibility of winning is relatively large, but facing a strong team at the level of the playoffs, the Lakers do not have the advantage. The Lakers may not be able to playoff at any time, James has cut 30+ many times, or can not lead the team to win, enough to see how serious the Lakers' problem is.
Just today, according to the NBA's famous Venhorst, the Lakers may use Tucker Jr. + Nunn + 2027 first-round pick to replace the Pistons' Grant. "If you could get a player like Grant, what would it cost? The Lakers may need to give Tucker, plus a 27-year first-round pick, plus Nunn. If you're Lakers management, are you willing to pay that price for Grant? But he does bring more help to the team."
Grant is a quasi-All-Star, both offensive and defensive, and is the league's top wing star. So far in the 21-22 season, Grant has averaged 20.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, shooting 33 percent from three-point range. However, although the Pistons are rebuilding, Grant is also an important core, the Pistons will not easily trade the most powerful players in their team, and if the Lakers are willing to trade the first round pick and Tucker Jr., the possibility of this deal is also there.
Third, the Lakers decided to let James play center for the time being
The Lakers' thick eyebrows were absent for at least a month, and James was too difficult during this time, frequently cutting high scores but still unable to lead the team to win. And Vogel is still in isolation, acting coach Fitzdale has not found a suitable starting lineup, today, the Lakers against the Rockets, Fitzdale decided to change the lineup, let James play center.
The Lakers' starting lineup is Westbrook + Bradley + Munch + Stanley Johnson + James, and the old Jan plays the starting center. James, who played in the No. 4 and No. 5 positions during the Heat, has not played center for so long, and now he is 37 years old, and the Lakers coach let him play in the center position, which is incredible.
However, after James played as a center, although he performed well on the offensive end, he could not prevent Wood. Wood scored eight points and three rebounds in just 7 minutes in the first quarter, completely breaking the Lakers' interior line. Perhaps, the Lakers can consider reusing Howard, at least the Warcraft physical resistance is strong, in the absence of thick eyebrows, if you always let James play center, old Zhan will be very tired.