In today's NBA leagues, there are bound to be crazy trades in the offseason. Last year, the Lakers were one of them, sending away Kuzma, Pope and Harrell, and trading Westbrook from the Wizards. However, due to Westbrook's integration problems and injury problems with thick eyebrows, the Lakers have deviated from the championship track this season. This summer, the Lakers must take an important step to get the team lineup back on the track of winning the championship.
Just today, the American media designed a crazy deal plan for the Lakers. This summer, the Lakers sent Westbrook and Tucker off to trade from the Rockets to Wall and Wood. James, Wall and Thick Brow Garwood make up the Big Four, and the Lakers can return to the championship team in the 2022-2023 season.
Trading Plan Details:
Los Angeles Lakers get: Wall, Wood
Houston Rockets get: Russell Westbrook, Tucker
This season, Westbrook's performance with the Lakers has been a disaster. He suffered cyberbullying from fans in Los Angeles, and his family was reluctant to even go to the Lakers' home stadium to watch the game. If the Lakers can't find a way to trade Westbrook in the summer, loyal fans of the Purple and Gold Legion may boycott them. Westbrook's value has fallen so low that some NBA insiders believe that after the end of his current contract, Westbrook can only get a basic salary contract to stay in the NBA.
If the Lakers want to get rid of Westbrook, there are not many trading options to choose from, and the Rockets are their best partners. The only remedy general manager Pelinka could remedy was to strike a deal with the Houston Rockets to send Westbrook and Tucker away, and John Wall and Christian Wood.
This season, Wall hasn't played a game and no one knows his form. But playing next to James and Brow, Wall's performance should not be worse than Thatcher's. Last season, Wall did well. In 40 games for the Rockets, he averaged 20.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game.
John Wall is only 31 years old, not yet old enough to retire. While he's not the typical shooter James likes, his outside attack is clearly stronger than Westbrook's. At the same time, Wall's defensive ability is also better than Thatcher's.
In addition to Wall, the Lakers will also get Christian Wood. The player's performance on the Rockets is average, and his defensive intensity is decreasing significantly. But the Lakers' inside thick-browed brother, Wood can appear as a potent complement.
Once the deal is complete, the Lakers' new starting lineup will include Wall, Reeves (we don't know if Malik Mongk will leave in the summer), James, Wood and Anthony Davis. We know that a healthy LBJ and AD are enough to get the Lakers to the second round of the playoffs, and if John Wall and Christianwood play well in their roles, the Purple and Gold may return to the championship race next season.
The Houston Rockets made the deal for only one reason: They could choose to buy out after they got Westbrook, freeing up a lot of salary space. The Rockets also want to trade Wood for a good young player, Tucker. Because once Wood's contract expires, he will not be sure to leave Houston.