On January 18, 2022, Beijing time, the Lakers played against the Jazz as the home team. The Lakers have been worse lately, with the team losing to the Grizzlies, Kings and Nuggets, suffering three straight losses. In the last game, facing the Nuggets, who lacked major generals this season, the Lakers did not seize the opportunity to win, but were showed by the Nuggets' role players, veteran Jeff Green scored 26 points, and rookie guard Hyland cut down 27 points and 10 rebounds. At present, this Lakers has no defensive intensity during the championship period, the defensive system is poor, and it is expected that the offensive end will be difficult to effectively target Gobert.
With the injury of the thick eyebrow brother, the purple and gold army performance further declined, and the high hopes of James and Westbrook did not take on the heavy responsibility of leading the team forward; although James's personal data was good, he watched the rest of the team not give strength, and he was a bit unable to work hard, and he was tired of coping on the defensive end.
For James, who recently celebrated his 37th birthday, staying positive is not an easy task. The last time his team suffered a 37-point or more bitter loss, it was back on February 5, 2019, when the Lakers lost to the Pacers by as many as 44 points on the road. In retrospect, that fiasco was basically a turning point in James' first season with the Lakers, marking the team's complete departure from the right track. After that game, the Lakers began formally engaging with the Pelicans, proposing to trade Anthony Davis with the young players on the team.
Now, with less than a month to go until the trade deadline this season, no one can predict whether this fiasco against the Nuggets will become a turning point for the Lakers this season, as it was then. But from James's post-game silence and his promise after a day of silence, it can be seen that the emperor has not given up this season, and the Lakers' change may be on the way, at least Pelinka hopes to bring in strong reinforcements to assist James.
According to Michael Scotto, a well-known reporter in the US NBA, sources revealed that the Los Angeles Lakers are very interested in Eric Gordon; in addition to Horton Tucker and Nunn, the Purple and Gold Army will most likely send two second-round picks.
Because Gordon is in good health this season and the Rockets rebuild also needs some veterans to lead, the Rockets will not sell Gordon at a low price. According to previous reports, Gordon has received the attention of multiple playoff teams, and the Los Angeles Lakers are one of them. Gordon can project, attack with the ball, provide high-quality defense, and has a lot of experience in the playoffs, which can improve the overall strength of the Purple and Gold Army.