Do you think that if the Lakers keep the current roster and don't change, will they be able to have their own place in the playoffs? Can you have the confidence to say that you can reach the Western Conference Finals or even the Finals? After running into most of the regular season, the Lakers are still hovering in the eighth position in the West, how to change? Instead of expecting thick eyebrows and Nunn's return from injury to completely solve the problem, it is better to start with the existing lineup configuration - trading.
Regarding trading, the Lakers have been eager to try it in the market. There have been rumors that they traded Westbrook to trade for Wall, and there were also rumors that tucker + Nun + draft picks were packed to exchange for Pistons Grant. However, they are all thunderous and rainy, and they are in the initial tentative stage, and the two sides do not have a strong interest in promoting the transaction.
The Athletic reporter Kelly Iko confirmed today that the Lakers did offer the Rockets, and Nawei went to wale less. It's not that the Rockets are interested in Westbrook, but that they've come down a path that can't be turned back, needing to get rid of Wall's contract and focus on grooming this year's 4 first-round rookies into a high-quality rotation lineup.
Sources said the Rockets asked the Lakers to send out the 2027 first-round draft pick in the deal, and it is unclear whether the Lakers are willing to put the first-round signing into the deal. As for Tucker, he may have caught the Rockets' attention over the past period of time, but Tucker has been doing poorly lately, with a three-year, $30 million contract and overall digestion of the ball that the Rockets want.
It's very difficult for the Lakers to send Westbrook away, because no team has expressed its willingness to take on such a large contract. To send him away, the Lakers must take more chips, and may also need to pull a third-party team to trade together.
If they can't send away Wei Shao, then the Lakers will have to find a way to bring in players who can adapt to james Wei Shao's big three lineup. The Lakers have been chasing Grant, who is recovering from a finger ligament tear surgery, which is a minor surgery with little impact, averaging 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks this season.
Today, NBA reporter Eric Pincus said: "Actually I have heard that the Lakers gave up Grant because he did not want to play the third role of the team after LeBron and AD, and the Lakers must also invest heavily in his contract extension." ”
Wei Shao would have been stunned to hear this. Haven't even come yet, already unwilling to be the third in the team? Co-author I'm going to be behind you Grant?
In fact, Grant also had this part of the reason for leaving the Nuggets, that is, he wanted to become at least the second boss of the team.
The Lakers have been blocked in the trading market in recent days, and may be close to the closing of the trading market, and the Lakers will have a big move.
Previously, it was reported that the Lakers were examining Vogel's work internally, and once it was not satisfactory, Vogel could pack up at any time. Today, ESPN's Lakers reporter Dave McMenamin reported on Vogel's job prospects.
"As far as I know, the Lakers will continue to use Vogel and he is expected to coach the Lakers for the rest of the season."
It seems that Vogel's position is preserved. Last offseason, the Lakers only reached a one-year early contract extension with Vogel, which will expire at the end of the 2022-23 season.
Today James posted a photo of himself standing at the home of the Heat yesterday on social platforms with the text: "305 (Miami area code) back to my city!" The Heat official replied at the bottom: "Champion, we will always love you!" ”
Heat president Pat Riley said of James: "LeBron is unique. He's Michael Jordan, he's Magic Johnson, he's Kobe Bryant, he's Jerry West, he's Bill Russell... Let's say you put all these great players together and fuse them together to become a player, and that person is LeBron. ”
At 8:30 a.m. tomorrow morning, the Lakers challenged the Nets. Thick brow's injury report suggests he will likely make a comeback in tomorrow's game. Having missed 18 consecutive regular season games, what will happen to him when he returns, so stay tuned.