After the reversal of defeating the Kings, the Lakers won a precious 3-game winning streak, and it was with this wave of winning streaks that the Lakers successfully increased the team's winning percentage to more than 50%.
One of the most surprising players during the period was undoubtedly Westbrook, who delivered 0 turnovers throughout the game, which was the key to the Lakers' ability to complete the reversal.
It can be seen that in order to integrate into the team, Wei Shao is constantly restraining his habitual playing style, not only reducing the number of outside shots, but also in order to reduce the number of mistakes, and actively giving up the ball.
Wei Shao's choice to deliberately suppress his own playing style does make him hand over a better efficiency and positive and negative value, but the problem is that he is still outside the system.
And after Wei Shao no longer does "Wei Shao", the Lakers spend a huge salary space to bet on whether Wei Shao still makes sense.
Especially against strong teams such as the Warriors, Nets, Suns and Bucks, if Westbrook is not integrated into the team at his peak, can the Lakers still have a chance of winning? The answer is clearly no.
The Lakers naturally know this internally, according to Sam Amick, the famous "The Athletic" reporter.
There are already voices within the Lakers that are dissatisfied with the effect of attracting Westbrook, and the Purple and Gold Legion has joined Westbrook when discussing deals with some potential competitors.
However, because Wei Shao is carrying a huge contract, it is not easy for the Lakers to send him away.
Especially considering that at present, Wei Shao is unable to integrate into the team, the Lakers are undoubtedly a passive party in the transaction, and if they want to send Wei Shao back for valuable instant players, the Lakers are bound to take the draft pick.
In response to this series of reports and the reality of the situation, the US media "Lakeshowlife" also gave a 3-for-3 deal plan for Wei Shao, and the Lakers sold Wei Shao to take the first round, bet on Ros Harris, and solved 3 major problems in one go.
Potential trading scenarios
Lakers: Get Gary Harris + Terence Rose + Lopez Jr.;
Magic: Get Westbrook + 2025 first-round pick + 2027 swap rights.
For the Lakers, this is a trading option that seems to be a loss, but it is actually very realistic, and it is expected to solve 3 major problems in one go.
The first is to solve the wrong bet of Wei Shao this offseason, Wei Shao is currently unable to integrate into the team, he occupies more than $40 million of space, if you do not clean him up, the Lakers simply do not want to turn the situation around through a trade.
And Westbrook has a $47 million player option next season, and he has no reason to refuse, meaning the Lakers may not be able to compete for the championship for two consecutive seasons.
Second, the Lakers got three new signings in the trade who could immediately help the team, in which Rose will provide the Lakers with a stable bench offensive firepower.
Gary Harris can provide the Lakers' much-needed flanking defensive capabilities, and he is the Lakers' favorite 3D type player.
In addition, Lopez Jr. will be an upgraded version of Jordan Jr., providing the rebounding and rim-guarding abilities the Lakers need.
Even if the Lakers' bet this time fails again, the team still failed to become a championship-fighting team, and the problem is not big.
Because the contracts of the three new signings are about to expire, giving the Lakers the opportunity to adjust again in the offseason, Gary Harris' contract with Lopez Jr. will expire at the end of the season, freeing up $24.5 million for the Lakers.
At that time, the Lakers can rebuild the team around Zhan Mei and continue to attack the championship next season, instead of wasting a year in vain and being completely locked in space by Wei Shao.