preface
I thought the Lakers' performance against the Bucks was embarrassing enough, and they were pulled apart by double digits in the first quarter. In the third quarter, the point difference has even reached 30 points, and finally ended with a 15 point difference. Westbrook was hidden by Vogel in the fourth quarter and was also the object of the fans' crusade after the game, and the 3-of-11 figure did not meet the expectations of the outside world. But what most fans didn't expect happened, the Lakers led by double digits in the next back-to-back game against the Blazers.
In the second half, Smith and Simmons Jr. were confused, not only smoothing out the point difference, but also narrowly defeating the Lakers by 2 points. After this game, it also indicates that the Lakers have to leave before the trade deadline. Wei Shao did not play this game due to a back injury, which also made the outside world full of suspicions about his movements. However, before that, the Lakers have already begun to work on the transaction. Lakers Deal: Shot! The Lakers, Knicks, and Raptors open a three-way deal, and Tucker is leaving!
Each got its own place, and the Lakers did not lose money in this deal
Fans familiar with the Lakers should be clear that some time ago, the Lakers have packed the first-round draft picks of Tucker + Nunn + 2027 in the market, but according to subsequent rumors, the league team believes that the Lakers' chips do not have a high transaction value. So that the Lakers are close to the closing date of the transaction, there is no substantial trading rumors. Maybe other teams wanted to force the Lakers to lower prices before this, but when it came to the trade deadline, these teams would not be able to sit still.
Sure enough, according to the US media reporter Michael Scotto, the Lakers have begun to negotiate a three-way deal with the Knicks and Raptors. Among them, the first chip given by the Lakers is still Tucker, but it is not clear whether Nunn is involved in the transaction. The Knicks didn't have a good record during Rose's injury, and they are currently in 12th place in the East with a record of 24 wins and 31 losses. They may have had to just mess around this season, so they need to send a batch of players who will make them paycheck in time.
The Raptors seem to be unremarkable and decent this season after Lowry's departure. They are currently 6th in the East with a 30-23 loss, and they clearly need reinforcements on the front. The Lakers have nothing to say, and it is undeniable that they are willing to "reshuffle" all players except James and Thick Brow if conditions permit. With 26 wins and 30 losses, the record of 9th in the West has deviated far from the expectations of the outside world at the beginning of the season.
The specific transaction content is: the Lakers get Cameron Redish, and Alec Burks two players; the Knicks get Dragic and draft picks; the Raptors get the always favored Tucker, and Noel. And if the negotiations deepen, it is clear that Nunn will also participate in the transaction. For the Lakers, any deal now is worth it, because that would at least break the current deadlock.
But what is certain for now is that the Lakers are desperate to change their situation through a deal. But according to US media reporter Jake Fischer, the Lakers will not only value this season, they will not try to win this season's championship by losing the future. Therefore, in terms of the 2027 first-round draft pick, the Lakers will not give in. Both of the players they get are currently in the Knicks, and Reddish hasn't had much tactical standing this season, and his average playing time per game is gradually being compressed.
So far this season, Reddish has averaged 21 minutes per game, averaging 10.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1 assist, and shooting 36.4% from three-point range. As a wing forward, he has more experience than Tucker. Burkes, on the other hand, has averaged 26.8 minutes per game this season and is capable of 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists. It is worth mentioning that Burks has a three-point shooting rate of 38.8%. Although these two players still have a lot of problems this season, it is certain that they have been moving in the right direction.
epilogue
Following this progress, perhaps every game Tucker plays for the Lakers now could be his last game in this stage of the Lakers. It is undeniable that last season Tucker did bring a great surprise to most Lakers fans, and his efforts on the defensive end and the decisiveness of the breakthrough also allowed the Lakers to finally choose the latter in Caruso's choice with Tucker.