After a losing season, lakers management continued its usual bold style, decisively betting on the third giant Westbrook.
According to subsequent reports, the Lakers were once close to getting DeRozan before getting Westbrook, who was ready to pack up for Los Angeles.
After giving up DeRozan to get Wei Shao, due to Wei Shao's contract, the Lakers not only sent away three players including Kuzma, but also had to choose between Tucker and Caruso, and finally the Lakers gave up the caruso that was cultivated by one hand.
Because Westbrook's overall playing style overlaps with James, and the thick eyebrow brother has a serious decline in projection this season, the Lakers management also expects this.
Pelinka decisively broke the defensive system that the Lakers have relied on for the past two seasons, bringing in a large number of outside shooters to try to solve the problem of the lack of space for the Big Three.
Coach Vogel is also trying small lineups to open up space for the Big Three as much as possible, but so far, the new Lakers have performed disappointingly, ranking eighth in the West with only 23 wins and 24 losses.
In the face of the unfavorable situation, the Lakers management is still decisive enough to directly send Rondo, who fell out of the rotation, to vacate a vacant seat for the follow-up signing of Taobao's Miracle Johnson, while being exposed to selling a number of players.
Horton Tucker and Nunn were the core chips in the Lakers' trade process, and Howard, Jordan Jr. and Bazemore were also players who were measured for the value of the trade.
In addition, the Lakers also tried to send Wei Shao away in the transaction, but never found a next home willing to take over.
Meanwhile, the Lakers were exposed to the Pistons' offer of Horton Tucker + Nunn + 2027 first-round picks in exchange for Grant being rejected.
This means that it will be difficult for the Lakers to return to the giant level players around Tucker + Nunn + the first round of 2027.
How to clean up Wei Shao's contract is the Lakers' top priority, for this reason, the US media "fadeawayworld" also supports the Lakers, you can try to complete a 2-for-1 deal with the Timberwolves, the Lakers are not only expected to successfully unwind, but also get two more strong reinforcements, and the West is born with a new three giants.
It's a perfect deal for the Lakers, and while Russell and Beverley's contracts are equally unfriendly, they're significantly better than Westbrook's $44 million contract this season and $47 million next season.
Russell has two years left on his contract, worth nearly $30 million a year, which is clearly a premium contract based on Russell's performance this season.
But compared to Westbrook, Russell is younger, has a relatively smaller contract, and has better outside projection ability, and can play without the ball next to James and Thick Brow.
In addition, the Lakers also acquired Beverley, an outside defensive toughster, through a transaction, and his contract is also premium, worth $13.33 million.
But Beverley's contract expires at the end of the season, meaning the Lakers have disguised a big contract for Westbrook smaller through a trade, and have secured two players who are more in line with James' requirements.
In particular, Beverley, a player, can just fill the Lakers' current defensive gap on the outside, although both players are not perfect, but at least make the Lakers' future more promising.
For the Timberwolves, the deal can only be seen as a big gamble, as the team is currently running well and there doesn't seem to be a need to complete the deal, especially since Russell and Beverley still play an important role in the roster rotation.
Therefore, the deal can only be seen as a big gamble, betting on the superstar of Westbrook, who can play a central role next to Edwards and House, create a new big three lineup, and increase the team's possibility of entering the playoffs
And according to the current trade value of Westbrook, the Timberwolves can ask the Lakers for another first-round pick.