The Suns have been championship contenders for the past two seasons, reaching the Finals one year and leading the league with a 64-win regular season record. But it's clear that they're no longer favorites to win the championship this year, and after losing to the Heat, the Suns are 20-20 and already 7th in the West. No team can win in this ranking, and even if they want to secure a playoff spot, it's not easy.
So, the sun has to change, or the championship window is fleeting. American media FW, suggested that the Suns and Lakers make a 4-for-1 transaction for a championship: the Lakers group luxury twin towers, the Suns rush to the championship again
The potential plan is: the Suns send Ayton, Bridges, the first round in 2025, and the first round in 2027, and get James of the Lakers
The deal must be made in the offseason because James has just completed an early contract extension with the Lakers, and according to the rules, he cannot be traded before the end of the trade window this season. Next season's salary, Ayton 32.46 million, Bridges 21.7 million, James 46.7 million, so the Suns can still get a 7.46 million trade exception.
Judging from his performance this season, James is still an All-Star starter, and he continues to improve his performance after the thick eyebrow injury. Averaging 29.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1 steal per game, shooting 51%, some people say James brushes points, I really can't agree, the Lakers have not many scoring points, James has to go to so many points, and his efficient scoring has also made the overall Lakers' offense smooth. Unfortunately, the Lakers are no longer willing to make substantial reinforcements, and the 2 tradable future first-rounders are dragged in their hands and unwilling to let go, so Old Jen has also publicly expressed his ideas, thinking that he can still contribute in the championship team.
James and Booker's pure scorer pairing is easy to succeed, just like his partner Wade in the Heat and Irving with the Cavaliers, both have a 1+1>2 effect, not to mention that the Suns also have a veteran Chris Paul. James and the old buddies partner, I believe that they will also have a tacit understanding, and scoring is simpler. The Suns will lose some roster depth as a result, but Ayton is too substitutable in the Suns' system, and Bridges' position can also be replaced by Johnson, and the Suns' roster is still very strong.
For the Lakers, rebuilding the lineup around thick eyebrows is a very good direction. Thick eyebrows are not suitable for playing the number five position, too much consumption is easy to get injured, Ayton's arrival can release the pressure of thick eyebrows and allow him to focus on scoring on the offensive end. Ayton and Thick Eyebrow's twin-tower dual-dimensional configuration is extremely talented and can suppress most teams. Bridges, the league's top 3D player, is not only strong defensively, but also efficient and accurate in his three-point shooting. To be honest, I think Wilson is likely to re-sign the Lakers in the offseason with a contract that matches his current value, so the Lakers' configuration is also very luxurious.
Overall, it's a win-win deal, and the Suns getting an experienced supergiant like James is like getting a pinnacle that won't go wrong in the playoffs. The Lakers, on the other hand, have a younger roster, have vitality and competitiveness, and the first-round pick they get can also mend the future of being overdrawn.