Over the course of this summer's offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers made an operation that everyone could have expected but still regretted. They abandoned the defensive tough guy Caruso, who the team had cultivated all the way from the development league to the championship, and chose to leave the younger defender Tucker on a contract of tens of millions. As the regular season schedule deepens, the Lakers' operation is also considered to be the same magnitude of "garbage operation" as the introduction of Westbrook. In order to bring in Westbrook, most of the Players' players in the Lakers' roster are on base salary contracts, which makes their trading ability extremely low, and it is difficult to match the contracts of other players. In such a situation, if the Lakers want to trade then Tucker is almost a must-play chip. Based on recent developments, the day seems to be getting closer and closer to us. Recently, according to the well-known Lakers reporter Eric Pincus in his personal social media, the Lakers have decided to trade on January 6.
Since early January, the Lakers have tried to use various methods to free up lineup space to prepare for a trade, and then Stanley Johnson locked in a lineup slot for the Lakers with his excellent performance. The previous Rondo deal was considered by many fans to be the Lakers' preparation for signing Stanley Johnson, but according to the latest news, the winger still needs to wait for his official contract. It is reported that the Lakers will sign two consecutive ten-day contracts with Stanley Johnson on January 6 to maintain longer lineup flexibility. The only reason the Lakers risked Stanley Johnson's cut-off was that they were close to a deal of less for more, so they needed to leave a roster slot in case they needed to.
Judging from the media information of all parties, the Lakers are close to reaching a deal that may have three directions. Turner of the Pacers, Grant of the Pistons and Hield of the Kings, three players in different positions also mark the Lakers' three completely different reinforcement schemes. Judging from the Lakers' performance after Anthony Davis' injury, it seems that their demand for a center is not so high, but the front line can strengthen the Lakers' existing lineup. Not surprisingly, Davis will return to play in the fifth position, James in the fourth position, Westbrook and Munch occupy two backcourt positions, and new signings will fill the final third position. Tall and with his arms outstretched, Grant is an all-round winger with both offensive and defensive ability to carry the ball, even to the top of the fifth position. Hield is clearly a sharpshooter who is stronger than the defender, and how the Lakers choose is the most concerned topic for fans.
Xiaobian believes that compared to Hield's three-point shooting ability, Grant's comprehensiveness is the most missing element of the Lakers' lineup. Aside from James and Anthony, the Lakers' only full-size interior line is Stanley Johnson, but his offensive ability is noticeably inadequate to open up space for James and Westbrook. If Grant can join the team, not only can the rest time of the two veterans James and Anthony be increased to a certain extent, but the Lakers' second-team offensive difficulties are also expected to be solved. Grant has proven his ball-carrying offensive ability with the Pistons in the last two seasons, and with nunn coming back, the Lakers will have a chance to build a consistent lineup if they get Grant. Do fans and friends think the Lakers have any hope of closing the deal in early January? Welcome to discuss and communicate in the comments section!