On February 12, Beijing time, the 2021-22 NBA regular season is in full swing. As the title-winning favourite team at the beginning of the tournament, the Lakers currently have a record of only 26 wins and 30 losses, ranking 9th in the West. The Lakers didn't make any moves before the trade deadline.
Earlier today, american media outlet fadeawayworld published an article in which they listed some of the deals the Lakers missed from last offseason, and they could have made up a luxurious lineup of "James + Davis + DeRozan + Hield + Lowry".
1. Schroeder + Tucker for Lori
At the end of last season, the Lakers could have chosen to sign and then trade with Schroeder and then swap Lowry with Tucker, but the team did not do so. When Lowry finished signing and swapping with the Heat, he was offered a three-year, $85 million contract. In fact, the Lakers can afford it, and can even negotiate a contract at a lower price.
2. Kuzma + Pope for Hilde
When the Lakers traded for Westbrook, they sent away the team's best outside shooters Kuzma and Pope, who led the Lakers on a three-point shot last season. Westbrook's addition hurt the team's ability to shoot outside, and Hield is a player who averages nearly 40% of three-point shooting per game in his career, and he can be called the perfect complement to James and Davis.
3. Caruso + Harrell + 27 years first round de Rozan
Last offseason, the Lakers were interested in getting DeRozan, but they failed to achieve it because they didn't have more assets. As part of the Westbrook deal, Harrell could be used to trade Kuzma, while the Lakers could sign and trade with Caruso first, plus the 27-year first-round pick, they had the capital to do the deal, and DeRozan had hinted that he wanted to play for the Lakers.
If these deals are made, Lowry can provide offense and defense, Hield can provide long-range shots from the outside, DeRozan's mid-range shots are insoluble, the three can provide firepower for the Lakers in different areas, and the Lakers are fully capable of storming the championship.